On your letters page of September 12 2011 you published a letter relating to the HPV vaccination ‘My fears on the HPV vaccination’.

As the vaccination offers protection against a virus that can lead to cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers in young women, I would like to take this opportunity to address some of the points raised.

For those readers who are not aware, HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is the name given to a group of viruses which are spread by skin to skin contact.

There are many different types of HPV and less than half are sexually transmitted. Although, as the letter states, many cases of infection will resolve on their own, where women go on to produce pre-cancerous cells and cervical cancer in 99 out of 100 cases there is a history of infection with particular types of HPV.

Women may not know they are infected as they may not have had any symptoms.

As well as cervical cancer HPV can cause genital warts, anogenital cancers and cancers of the head and neck depending on the type of HPV.

The programme which currently runs, offers all girls in school Year 8 a vaccination which helps protect against the two strains of the virus which lead to 70 per cent of cervical cancers.

Last year over 90 per cent of girls within Year 8 received the vaccination.

While the vaccine protects against the strains that cause most cervical cancer, screening is still important to pick up abnormalities caused by other strains and all women are advised they should still go for cervical screening as soon as they are old enough.

This information is given in the national HPV vaccination information which is given to girls along with a consent form.

Since the vaccination campaign started in 2008 over four million vaccines have been given across England, and serious side effects are very rare. Of course the vaccination does not protect against other strains of HPV or other sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy, and we are very clear in our local information campaigns that practising safe sex is also very important.

Across the county a number of local teams continue to carry out a large amount of work around sexual health and contraception which includes the recent launch of a single phone number – 0300 3031948 – which people can use to access a number of sexual health services.

The HPV vaccination and cervical screening remain incredibly important in protecting the health of women in Dorset.

While we are aware that there is a great deal of information and opinion already available in the public domain, I would like to ask that any parents who have questions about the HPV programme contact Denise Winter within our Public Health team on 01305 361180 or visit the NHS vaccinations website at nhs.uk/vaccinations Dr Jane Horne Deputy Director of Public Health NHS Dorset