Vaccine Scandal

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 19th Jul 2008

Graham Oakes, Lib Dem PPC for Exeter has described the decision by the Government to select Cervarix as the vaccine for cervical cancer as 'scandalous'.

"The Government has dragged its heels in starting this vital immunisation process and now it has chosen the cheap, less effective vaccine."

"This was an opportunity to give extra protection to young people in Exeter but the Government made the wrong decision."

The Government have chosen Cervarix instead of Gardasil. The latter vaccine not only helps protect women from cervical cancer but also genital warts. The US and most European governments have chosen to use the vaccine that protects against both conditions, but not the UK government.

"Whilst I accept that Cervarix is cheaper, the amount of money spent treating genital warts is greater than the difference, not to mention the misery this sexually transmitted infection causes."

Figures from the Health Protection Agency show annual savings of £18.6m using Cervarix with the annual treatment costs for genital warts estimated at £22m, costs which would disappear largely with the vaccination programme.

"This is a missed opportunity to improve the nation's health just to make short term savings" commented Graham Oakes, a Nurse.

The mass vaccination programme of 12-13 year old girls will begin in September, although the vaccines were available last year.