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Chinook Health getting positive response from HPV immunization program |
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Written by Dave Mabell
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Friday, November 14 2008, 11:05 PM |
Southern Alberta families are embracing a new immunization program for Grade 5 girls.
In-school vaccination clinics — including the new vaccine against human papilloma virus — began earlier this fall. Dianne Shaw, director of wellness and community health across the Chinook Health region, says they’ll continue through the year. Protection against HPV — the cause of almost all cancer of the cervix — is being offered at no charge by the government of Alberta, along with most other provinces.
“We’re getting a very, very positive response from parents,” she reports.
“That is, they’re giving consent (to proceed) or they’re asking questions,” she says. And that’s healthy.
“We want to ensure they have good information for themselves and their daughters.”
Informed parental consent is required for all immunization programs conducted in Alberta’s schools and Shaw says about 20 parents of girls in the city’s Catholic schools turned out for an information session earlier this week.
Catholic school trustees in Lethbridge and other Alberta communities — following their bishops’ orders — reversed an earlier decision to allow the HPV shots in their schools. But Shaw says letters have been sent to parents of all Grade 5 girls informing them vaccinations will still be offered at another location.
They’re provided at the Grade 5 level, she explains, because nurses are already in the schools for Hepatitis B shots. It’s important the immunization be provided before girls are exposed to any sexual activity, she adds.
While just one jab is involved in the Hep B campaign, Shaw says the new HPV vaccine is administered in three doses. A second dose is offered one to two months later and a third after six months.
Next year, she adds, the vaccine will be available at the secondary school level as well.
“We’ll start a ‘catch-up’ series in Grade 9,” provided at the same time as booster shots for diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. Shaw says they’ll continue each fall until this year’s Grade 5s reach that age.
By then, she expects boys may be included as well. The vaccine is also effective against genital warts, a more common but less serious condition faced by teenagers and young adults.
The vaccine is also available through family doctors, Shaw adds, but it’s pricey. Each shot costs $150, and three are required.
Shaw says further information on HPV vaccination is available from all schools nurses, in both Catholic and public schools, and from the public health office in the former CPR station.
Based on its potential for reducing the number of women battling cancer, “We highly recommend it.”
Shaw says local health officials are also recommending flu shots for school children who may be at risk. They’re offered free for youngsters with chronic diseases like asthma or diabetes and they’re also available at cost from doctors and many pharmacies.
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Last Updated ( Monday, August 10 2009, 2:35 PM )
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