DORSET-based cancer charity GO Girls are encouraging all eligible young people to take part in a vaccination campaign.

The drive to get schoolchildren vaccinated against the human papilloma virus (HPV) is to help prevent cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week starts today.

It is hoped a short animation from GO Girls, supported by fundraising by Dorset law firm Porter Dodson, will be shown in schools across the country to educate young people on the benefits of vaccination. It can be seen at www.dorsetecho.co.uk

There are about 200 different types of HPV with the high risk types being the cause of the majority of all cervical cancers. There are many different forms of the virus and there are no symptoms.

The HPV vaccination which vaccinates against HPV: 6, 11, 16 and 18 is offered to both boys and girls aged 12-13. Year 8/9 schoolchildren are given the second dose 6-12 months after the first. It is vital to have both doses for the vaccination to be fully effective. Girls and boys aged 15 and over require three doses.

CEO and Chairman of GO Girls Hilary Maxwell, from Weymouth, said: “Protecting yourself against high-risk HPV is a significant step in the prevention of cervical cancer. The virus has no symptoms and so you will not know you have it. For many the body will clear the virus naturally, but this is not the case for all, which is why the vaccine is so important for future health protection and its role in cervical cancer prevention."

England has seen declining rates of HPV vaccination over recent years.

“It is alarming to see this drop in HPV vaccination uptake”, said Sharon McCartney, a nurse from Manchester and trustee elect for GO Girls.

“Protecting against the possibility of cervical cancer must surely be seen as a good thing. As soon as you have sex, you are exposed to the virus, so there’s no point kidding yourself you won’t be at risk.”

The HPV viruses are also implicated in causing other cancers too, including vulval and vaginal cancers, head and neck cancers, anal cancers and genital warts.

Hilary Maxwell said: “This is another reason why we would encourage boys and girls to participate in the HPV vaccination programme."

She added: “Whilst the vaccine protects against high-risk types of HPV, women will still need to attend cervical screening when called from the age of 25 as this an important part of cervical cancer prevention.”