Teenagers could miss out on HPV jab
Apr 16 2009 by Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail
HUNDREDS of teenage girls in Birmingham could be missing out on the new lifesaving jab to prevent cervical cancer because of where they live, it was feared today.
The Department of Health has encouraged all Primary Care Trusts to give the HPV vaccine in schools.
But health bosses in the east and north of the city decided to only offer the jabs at GP practices.
The move has now created a loophole with girls who go to school in those areas but who live or have a doctor in neighbouring Heart of Birmingham, South Birmingham, Sandwell or Walsall PCT areas being left unlisted for the jab.
Angry mum Helen Neuenhaus, from Great Barr, claimed she was “passed from pillar to post” chasing up how her 15-year-old daughter Emily could be protected against the deadly disease that killed 27-year-old Jade Goody last month.
“My daughter is a Year 11 pupil at Perry Beeches School in north Birmingham where the PCT has decided to not vaccinate in schools but leave it to GPs,” said PR manager Mrs Neuenhaus, aged 44.
