KEY POINTS:
The death rate from cervical cancer is expected to be halved in the decades after the introduction of a programme of free vaccination in September, the Prime Minister says.
In a long-expected pre-Budget announcement, Helen Clark said yesterday the Government would spend $177 million over five years on vaccinating more than 300,000 girls and young women against two types of human papilloma virus linked to the majority of cervical cancers.
Each year 180 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and around 60 die from it. The vaccine, Gardasil, protects against two HPV strains linked to 70 per cent of cervical cancers, as well as other genital and anal cancers in both men and women.
Most sexually-active women are exposed to HPV some time in their life. Most HPV infections are harmless, but 2 per cent remain present for several years, and if they persist for more than 10 years can lead to cancer.
"It can take 10 to 20 years for HPV infection to turn into cervical cancer," said Ms Clark. "With this vaccination we expect a reduction, over time, in the incidence of cervical cancer. Based on present numbers, it's estimated around 30 lives a year will be saved."
But screening with regular smear tests, which is largely credited with the reduction of cervical cancer incidence by half and death rate by two-thirds since 1990, will remain a main-stay of protection, because other cancer-linked strains of HPV are not covered by the vaccine.
Supporters of the vaccine say it is important for it to be given at a young age, preferably before girls first have sex and are potentially at risk of HPV exposure.
The decision was welcomed by cancer and medical groups.
"This is the most exciting event in my career," said gynaecologist Professor Ron Jones, of Auckland City Hospital and the chairman of the Viral Sexually Transmitted Infections Education Foundation.
New Zealand would be just the seventh country to fund a mass programme with the vaccine, he said.
But conservative lobby group Families First restated its objections. Spokesman Bob McCoskrie said it could promote promiscuity by giving people a false sense of protection against other sexually-transmitted infections like gonorrhoea.
But the Catholic Church hierarchy in New Zealand does not see a link between the vaccine and promiscuity and supports the vaccination being offered to 12-year-olds as long as parents' consent is sought appropriately.
THE SCHEME
* State-paid vaccination will be offered to young women aged 17 and 18 from September, through primary care clinics.
* From next February, the lower age limit will be 12 and the vaccinations will also be given in schools.
* The vaccination will be added to the national schedule for delivery in school year 8 (form 2) for girls aged 12 or older.
* Three injections are required - the second at two months and the third at six months after the first.
* The vaccine is already available for those who want to pay for it, at about $450.
