AN IMMUNISATION programme to tackle cervical cancer will be introduced in schools across the county from next month.

Girls aged 12 to 13 will be routinely vaccinated against the Human Papilloma Virus from October.

Dr Pam Griffiths, Community Paediatrician, Buckinghamshire PCT, said: "Prevention is always better than cure and this vaccine will prevent many women from catching the human papilloma virus in the first place, potentially saving hundreds of lives each year."

Smear tests, which the trust said have been successful, will continue after the HPV vaccine has been introduced because it does not protect against all HPV types that may cause cervical cancer.

Dr Griffiths added: "The benefits of introducing this vaccine into the national immunisation programme will be felt by women and their families for generations to come.

"The vaccine protects against the viruses that cause about 70% of cervical cancers.”