A local G.P. says he's disappointed the Health Service has opted for a "value for money" vaccine to combat the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which causes cervical cancer.
Dr Tom Black criticised the decision to adopt the vaccine 'Cervarix' adding that the alternative, 'Gardasil' used by the majority of vaccination programmes worldwide would have more long term benefits.
He was speaking just weeks before a new vacci
nation programme for teenage girls is introduced in Derry.
Beginning next month girls aged 12 and 13 will be vaccinated in school, 17 and 18 year-olds will be vaccinated by their GPs and girls in between these ages will be vaccinated in the next two years.
"GPs are surprised at decision to choose Cervarix," said the Derry doctor. "This vaccine only protects against strains 16 and 18 of HPV while Gardasil covers strains 6,11, 16 and 18.
"Gardasil also protects against STDs including anal genital warts.The problem with this condition that if that if a woman has these warts during labour, it can pass HPV respiratory infections to the baby which can be very difficult to treat."
Asked if he believed the Health Service was opting for the cheaper vaccination Dr Black said: "Our worry is that Cervarix may have been chosen on the basis of value for money.
"The decision seems to have been made on the basis of population based health economics, while GPs prefer to make decisions based on individual needs.
"My understanding is that the Health Service save £20m by using Cervarix. GPs feel a longer term view should have been taken."
Dr. Black said there were worries that the project was being put into the school and not given to GPs.
"During the pilot project in Manchester schools only 70% of girls were vaccinated," he said, "however with vaccination programmes GPs always obtain results over 90%.
"We also have concerns about the delay in 13-17 year category who will not be vaccinated until the next year or so. If they become sexually active within this time and catch the bug, the vaccine will have come too late."
Marie Lindsay, Principal of St. Mary's College, told the 'Journal' that she "cautiously welcomes" the vaccination but with reservations.
"This new vaccination only protects against two strains of HPV, which is worrying considering there is a more effective vaccine out there which protects against all four strains of the virus. With this in mind, I would question why we are getting one and not the other?" she said.
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