Latest news with #GPpractices
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Hundreds of thousands of young people urged to have vaccine that protects against cancer linked to oral sex
Health chiefs are urging the 418,000 under-25s who left school without receiving a life-saving cancer vaccine to come forward for the jab. The HPV vaccine, routinely offered to children aged 12 to 13 in Year 8, protects against human papillomavirus—a common infection linked to several cancers. Around 80 per cent of the population will be exposed to HPV at some point, usually through sexual contact. Children are targeted for vaccination before they have been exposed—with the aim of providing protection through into adulthood. In most cases the virus is harmless, but in some cases it can trigger changes in DNA that lead to cervical cancer, and cancers of the penis and anus. When someone performs oral sex on a partner with HPV, the virus can infect cells in the mouth and throat. The vaccine, which is proven in studies to be highly effective, prevents this from happening. Now, GP practices across England will invite patients aged 16 to 25 to get vaccinated via letters, emails, texts and the NHS App. Experts have previously warned that low uptake of the HPV vaccine is putting children at risk of developing cancer later in life. They believe this may be partly due to a misconception that the jab is only relevant to sexually transmitted infections—and therefore not necessary for children. In the 2023/24 academic year, 76.7 per cent of girls and 71.2 per cent of boys had received the vaccine by Year 10. Uptake in Year 8—when the jab is first offered—also rose slightly on the previous year, by 1.6 percentage points in girls and 2.5 in boys. The new push is part of the NHS's goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, by increasing vaccine coverage and boosting cervical screening rates. It aims to raise uptake among girls to 90 per cent by the same date. Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS England's national director of primary care, said: 'This vaccine is vital to our efforts to eradicate cervical cancer in girls and women – but it's just as important for boys, too. 'So if you're eligible for a HPV vaccination or are the parent of a child who is eligible, but didn't get the vaccine at school when they had the chance, I would urge you to come forward when your GP contacts you.' Dr Sharif Ismail, a consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency said: 'We know that uptake of the HPV vaccination in young people has fallen significantly since the pandemic.' This he warned has left 'many many thousands across the country' at greater risk of HPV-related cancers. 'This is a real concern as each HPV vaccine, now just a single dose offered in schools, gives a young person good protection against the devastating impact of these cancers,' Dr Ismail added. 'We're calling on all parents to return their children's HPV vaccination consent forms promptly. 'This simple action could protect your child from developing cancer in the future.' He also urged young adults up to the age of 25, who didn't get the jab to speak to their GP about catch-up options, because 'it's never too late to get protected.' Public Health and Prevention Minister, Ashley Dalton, added: 'If you've missed your vaccination at school. It isn't too late. 'Don't hesitate to make an appointment with your GP. One jab could save your life.' The vaccine can also be given to those up to age 45 with immune-compromised conditions and men who have sex with other men. Previously children were required to get two vaccinations, but as of September 2023 they only need one new jab. The latest HPV vaccine, first introduced in England in 2021, is proven to be more effective. In the long term the jab is predicted to reduce cases of women's cancer by 16 per cent and HPV attributable deaths by nine per cent more than the previous type. Importantly, studies in England have shown that the HPV vaccine stops 90 per cent of cervical cancer cases.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials urge those who left school without lifesaving vaccine to get protected
Health officials have urged hundreds of thousands of people to get a vaccine that protects against certain cancers. It comes amid warnings that more than 418,000 children have left school with no protection against human papillomavirus (HPV) in the last three years. The HPV vaccine is offered to boys and girls when they are in Year 8 and is key to wiping out cervical cancer in the UK. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7% of cervical cancers. The jab also protects against genital warts and head and neck cancers, such as those in the mouth or throat. Now, GP practices in England will invite 16 to 25-year-olds to have the vaccine if records show they did not have it in school. According to NHS England, more than 418,000 children left school without having the jab in the last three years, with concerns there are many more people aged 16 to 25 who are not protected. Dr Amanda Doyle, national director of primary care and community services, said: 'This vaccine is hugely important in our fight to eradicate cervical cancer but it isn't just for girls and women – it's also vital for boys and men to get vaccinated to protect themselves against cancers of the mouth, throat or genitals, while preventing spreading the HPV infection to sexual partners who could then develop cervical cancer. 'Too many lives are lost to cervical cancer so the hard work of NHS staff across the country in vaccinating and screening as many people as possible will help us to meet our ambition of wiping out this disease. 'Encouraging progress has been made recently in increasing uptake but we know there is much more to do. 'So if you're eligible for a HPV vaccination or are the parent of a child who is eligible, but didn't get the vaccine at school when they had the chance, I would urge you to come forward when your GP contacts you. 'Only a single dose is required and it could save you or your child's life.' Data shows that in the 2023/24 academic year, some 76.7% of girls and 71.2% of boys aged 14 to 15 were vaccinated against HPV by Year 10. Uptake in Year 8 increased to 72.9% among girls and 67.7% among boys, from 71.3% and 65.2% respectively a year earlier. The health service will aim to boost uptake among girls to 90% as part of plans to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. It will also aim to increase the number of women attending cervical cancer screening appointments. Public health minister Ashley Dalton said the vaccine 'is our most powerful tool in our fight to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040' but said there is a 'long way to go'. 'Thousands of young people are still unvaccinated and vulnerable to this disease – which is so easily prevented,' she added. Last month, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned young women in some parts of England are at greater risk of cervical cancer because not enough children are getting the jab. Analysis by the agency showed inequalities in vaccine uptake in some regions – by Year 10, HPV coverage in girls was lowest in London (64.9%) and highest in the South East (82.7%). Among boys, it was also lowest in London (58.9%) and highest in the South East (77.3%). Meanwhile, at local authority level, Year 10 vaccination levels in girls ranged from 38.7% (Lambeth in London) to 97.6% (Northumberland). Among boys, it ranged from 28.2% (Lambeth in London) to 92.2% (West Berkshire). Dr Sharif Ismail, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 'We know that uptake of the HPV vaccination in young people has fallen significantly since the pandemic, leaving many, many thousands across the country at greater risk of HPV-related cancers. 'This is a real concern as each HPV vaccine, now just a single dose offered in schools, gives a young person good protection against the devastating impact of these cancers, which includes cervical, genital, mouth and throat cancers. 'This new catch-up campaign is a really important opportunity for us to make sure that no teenage girl or boy, young woman or man is denied that protection.'
The Independent
a day ago
- Health
- The Independent
Officials urge those who left school without lifesaving vaccine to get protected
Health officials have urged hundreds of thousands of people to get a vaccine that protects against certain cancers. It comes amid warnings that more than 418,000 children have left school with no protection against human papillomavirus (HPV) in the last three years. The HPV vaccine is offered to boys and girls when they are in Year 8 and is key to wiping out cervical cancer in the UK. England who left school without receiving the HPV vaccine in the last three years" data-source=" NHS England"> Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7% of cervical cancers. The jab also protects against genital warts and head and neck cancers, such as those in the mouth or throat. Now, GP practices in England will invite 16 to 25-year-olds to have the vaccine if records show they did not have it in school. According to NHS England, more than 418,000 children left school without having the jab in the last three years, with concerns there are many more people aged 16 to 25 who are not protected. Dr Amanda Doyle, national director of primary care and community services, said: 'This vaccine is hugely important in our fight to eradicate cervical cancer but it isn't just for girls and women – it's also vital for boys and men to get vaccinated to protect themselves against cancers of the mouth, throat or genitals, while preventing spreading the HPV infection to sexual partners who could then develop cervical cancer. 'Too many lives are lost to cervical cancer so the hard work of NHS staff across the country in vaccinating and screening as many people as possible will help us to meet our ambition of wiping out this disease. 'Encouraging progress has been made recently in increasing uptake but we know there is much more to do. 'So if you're eligible for a HPV vaccination or are the parent of a child who is eligible, but didn't get the vaccine at school when they had the chance, I would urge you to come forward when your GP contacts you. 'Only a single dose is required and it could save you or your child's life.' Data shows that in the 2023/24 academic year, some 76.7% of girls and 71.2% of boys aged 14 to 15 were vaccinated against HPV by Year 10. Uptake in Year 8 increased to 72.9% among girls and 67.7% among boys, from 71.3% and 65.2% respectively a year earlier. The health service will aim to boost uptake among girls to 90% as part of plans to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. It will also aim to increase the number of women attending cervical cancer screening appointments. Public health minister Ashley Dalton said the vaccine 'is our most powerful tool in our fight to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040' but said there is a 'long way to go'. 'Thousands of young people are still unvaccinated and vulnerable to this disease – which is so easily prevented,' she added. Last month, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned young women in some parts of England are at greater risk of cervical cancer because not enough children are getting the jab. Analysis by the agency showed inequalities in vaccine uptake in some regions – by Year 10, HPV coverage in girls was lowest in London (64.9%) and highest in the South East (82.7%). Among boys, it was also lowest in London (58.9%) and highest in the South East (77.3%). Meanwhile, at local authority level, Year 10 vaccination levels in girls ranged from 38.7% (Lambeth in London) to 97.6% (Northumberland). Among boys, it ranged from 28.2% (Lambeth in London) to 92.2% (West Berkshire). Dr Sharif Ismail, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: 'We know that uptake of the HPV vaccination in young people has fallen significantly since the pandemic, leaving many, many thousands across the country at greater risk of HPV-related cancers. 'This is a real concern as each HPV vaccine, now just a single dose offered in schools, gives a young person good protection against the devastating impact of these cancers, which includes cervical, genital, mouth and throat cancers. 'This new catch-up campaign is a really important opportunity for us to make sure that no teenage girl or boy, young woman or man is denied that protection.'
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Self-service health kiosks set up at Wolverhampton GP surgeries
New self-service health kiosks have been introduced at GP practices in machines allow patients to check vital signs such as blood pressure, height, and weight, and complete health questionnaires related to long-term would ideally be used ahead of an appointment to take the information in with them or use on an ad-hoc basis if patients wished to check particular aspects of their health, City of Wolverhampton Council Obaida Ahmed, cabinet member for health, wellbeing and community, said she welcomed the move, which was "a significant stride forward in enhancing patient experience". "The health kiosks are simple to use. Patients will log in with their name and date of birth and then follow clear on-screen instructions," she added."Once completed, results are securely integrated into their medical record, ensuring continuity of care."Enabling patients to complete routine checks in advance means healthcare professionals can focus more on important conversations and decisions during appointments. "It helps patients stay involved and makes the whole process smoother for healthcare colleagues."The kiosks are available at selected GP practices across the city, the council said. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Patients with penicillin allergy may benefit from further tests, study suggests
The majority of patients recorded as having a penicillin allergy may not be truly allergic to the antibiotic, a first-of-its-kind trial suggests. Those with the marker on their medical records could benefit from tests to confirm or rule out an allergy, according to researchers. Removing incorrect labels could help improve care for patients while tackling antibiotic resistance and saving money for the NHS, they said. For the Alabama trial, published in the Lancet Primary Care and led by the University of Leeds, researchers recruited 823 patients from 51 GP practices in England. Those taking part had no history of severe reactions to penicillin. Some patients were tested for a penicillin allergy, with either an oral dose of the antibiotic or a small injection under the skin. If there was no immediate reaction, patients were given a three-day course of penicillin to take at home, where they were monitored by the research team. Of the 365 people tested for an allergy, some 234 had an oral test, with 13 testing positive, while 131 had a skin test, three of which were positive. Elsewhere, 128 patients had an oral test after a skin test, with 14 testing positive for an allergy. Overall, the study found 30 patients tested positive for a penicillin allergy, while 335 – or 92% – tested negative. After three months, 276 patients had the allergy removed from their medical records. And after 12 months, allergies were removed from the records of 321 patients, or 88% of the group that was tested. Dr Jonathan Sandoe, lead author and associate clinical professor in microbiology at the University of Leeds School of Medicine and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: 'Antibiotics have been life-saving drugs since the late 1930s, but we are now in an era where microbes are evolving to resist the effects of current antibiotics. 'The global challenge of antibiotic resistance is causing people to die of common infections, so it is vital to find ways to improve how antibiotics are used. 'Assessing people with penicillin allergy labels is one way we can achieve this.' Patients who had the allergy check also had fewer antibiotics overall, the study suggests. As part of the study, researchers analysed the cost-effectiveness of allergy testing based on the NHS model. They said that although results may vary in different countries, the study observed 'tendency towards reducing consultations, days in hospital, and emergency admissions' which 'suggest that the penicillin allergy assessment pathway is cost-effective in the short run and increasingly likely to be so over longer follow-up periods'. Researchers now suggest that 'access to penicillin allergy assessment for patients should be widened'. Dr Sandoe added: 'This research shows that removing incorrect penicillin allergy labels has the potential to improve patient experiences, reduce health costs and tackle bacterial resistance. 'Now, we need to work together with policymakers and patients to help the NHS to address this issue.' Professor Sue Pavitt from the University of Leeds, who jointly led the study, said her mother Rosie Woollard had a penicillin allergy added to her medical records in the 1950s. She had been prescribed the antibiotic for mastitis – a common infection usually linked with breastfeeding – and developed a rash. Prof Pavitt said: 'My mum was vigilant and avoided taking penicillin from that day, but her allergy was never checked. 'It may have been a simple reaction to the other substances used in manufacturing the tablet or her rash was just a consequence of the infection. 'When my mum got older and had more underlying health problems, we noticed that when she had an infection, she often needed two or three courses of different antibiotics before the infection would clear. 'Each round of antibiotics took a toll on her wellbeing, appetite and ability to bounce back until the infection was under control.' Ms Woollard developed repeated urinary tract infections later in life and died at the age of 91. Her cause of death was recorded as an antimicrobial infection. Prof Pavitt said: 'Antibiotic allergy and resistant bugs are complex concepts to understand – she was our barometer to see if we were explaining things clearly. 'She was also instrumental in making the Alabama trial open to older people with multiple long-term conditions, a group that is often excluded from research but important to reach. 'This research is in part her legacy and shows the value of preserving antibiotics, so that we can keep fighting infections with these important medicines.' Christopher Butler, a professor of primary care in the Nuffield department of primary care health sciences at the University of Oxford, said: 'It's this kind of research question that has a huge impact on improving care for individuals, improving cost-effectiveness of what we do as clinicians, and helps us preserve the precious shared resource of of antibiotics to all of us and to future generations.'
