FED:Fewer teen girls completing vaccine course

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2011
FED:Fewer teen girls completing vaccine course

The Cancer Council is urging the federal government to release current cervical cancer
vaccine data .. after a recent study showed a drop-off in the number of teenage girls
completing the three-dose course.

Government data for 2007 to 2009 has shown all states have fallen below minimum coverage
guidelines set out by health experts.

The Department of Health data also shows a drop in the number of girls aged 12 to 13
completing the three stage vaccine process .. from 83 per cent who started the course
in 2007 to 73 per cent.

The Council says they'll have much less protection against human papillomavirus types
responsible for 70 per cent of cervical cancers .. than girls who've completed the full
course.

AAP RTV eb/tr/klm/tm/psm/

KEYWORD: CERVICAL (SYDNEY)

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