The vaccine is given in three injections over six months at a cost of around £300 a course. Earlier this year the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommended routine vaccination for 11 to 12-year olds, including the possibility of a catch-up campaign - but only up to the age of 16. But the government wanted further evidence on the cost benefits of a programme before making a final decision.
In England the programme will start initially in 12 to 13- year olds, with plans to vaccinate those up to the age of 18 from autumn 2009. Wales and Scotland have announced similar plans, and Northern Ireland will also be carrying out vaccination in 12- year olds but has yet to finalise the details.
It will most likely be done in schools but individual primary care trusts will be responsible for working out how to implement vaccination. Two vaccines have been developed - Gardasil, made by Merck and Sanofi Pasteur, which has been approved in 76 countries, and Cervarix, made by GSK and launched in the UK recently. The committee had not made a recommendation as to which of the vaccines should be used. Some have expressed concerns that providing a jab to protect against a sexually transmitted infection to children at a young age might encourage promiscuity.
