Year eight students are being offered the HPV vaccine which offers protection against several types of cancer caused by the human papillomavirus.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps to prevent HPV related cancers from developing in boys and girls. While most types of HPV are harmless, some high-risk types can lead to the development of cancers, including cervical cancer, cancers of the head and neck (mouth and throat) and cancers of the anus and genital areas.

Sirona care & health's School Aged Immunisation Team is visiting schools across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) over the next couple of months to deliver the vaccine.

Karen Evans, Head of Specialist Services for Children and Sirona's Integrated Immunisation Services, said: "All children aged 12-13 across BNSSG are being offered the free HPV vaccine.

"The vaccine reduces your chances of getting HPV, which can lead to the development of several different cancers which is why it is so important young people take up the offer of the vaccine which is given as one injection in the upper arm. If you miss your HPV vaccine, you can contact our School Aged Immunisation Team to arrange an appointment."

Sirona care & health provides NHS and Local Authority funded adult and children's community services. Our School Aged Immunisation Service delivers the national school-age immunisations programmes for childhood flu, HPV, meningococcal ACWY, and the diphtheria, tetanus, and polio booster (Td/IPV) across BNSSG.

The HPV vaccination programme is one of the most successful in the world and has dramatically lowered the rates of cervical cancer and harmful infections in both women and men – preventing many cancers and saving lives.

Parents and carers of year eight students are asked to fill in the consent form which will be emailed to them by their child's school. The form is also available here.

Young people who are home educated will be contacted by their local authority and will be able to attend a community clinic to receive the vaccine. Students who miss the vaccination in school can contact our School Aged Immunisation Team on [email protected] or by calling 0300 124 5515.