A PUBLIC health expert is writing to Suffolk parents today, urging them to make sure their daughters are given a potentially life-saving vaccine.Dr Brian Keeble, public health consultant for NHS Suffolk, formerly Suffolk Primary Care Trust, is writing to parents of each girl in year eight in Suffolk to offer them the new human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine.

A PUBLIC health expert is writing to Suffolk parents today, urging them to make sure their daughters are given a potentially life-saving vaccine.

Dr Brian Keeble, public health consultant for NHS Suffolk, formerly Suffolk Primary Care Trust, is writing to parents of each girl in year eight in Suffolk to offer them the new human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine.

It protects against cervical cancer, which currently affects more than 2,000 women a year in the UK, causing around 400 deaths.

Schoolgirls who have the vaccination will be protected against the commonest cause of cervical cancer for many years to come.

Dr Keeble said: “Each girl's mum or dad can read the information we have sent, or find out more on the HPV website, so that they really understand what it means for their child to have the vaccination.

“I would advise them to sit down and talk to their child about it, sign the consent form if they agree to it and send it back to school.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is to take up this chance which will protect your daughter against cervical cancer for many years to come.

“The vaccination, which consists of three injections over a six month period, will only be available through school, where it will be provided by our school nurse service.”

School nurses will give the 12 and 13-year-old girls three doses of vaccine over a six month period to ensure maximum protection.

For more information on the vaccine visit www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/HPV.

Are you pleased your daughter will be given the vaccine? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.