Young women aged from 12 up to 18 are being offered the HPV vaccination to help protect them against cervical cancer.

Drop-in sessions are being held in south west Essex so that young women eligible for the immunisation can pop in without making an appointment and have the injection.

The vaccination is routinely offered to Year 8 girls (aged 12 to 13) while they are at school but this academic year it is also being offered to those aged 14 to 18 (Years 10 to 13). If girls have missed the vaccination at school or college they can come along to the drop in sessions and have the vaccination. The drop-in sessions are being run into the evening to make it easier for those who are no longer in education to come along.

The clinics are run at:

Brentwood Community Hospital, Crescent Drive, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 8DR

Tuesday 30 March, from 3pm to 7pm
Thursday 1 April, from 3pm to 7pm

Grays Health Centre, Brooke Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 5BY

Wednesday 17 March, from 3pm to 7pm
Wednesday 31 March, from 3pm to 7pm
Wednesday 7 April, from 3pm to 7pm

Great Oaks Clinic, Great Oaks, Basildon, Essex, SS!4 1EH

Tuesday 6 April, from 4pm to 7pm
Thursday 8 April, from 4pm to 7pm

In the UK, about 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and around 1,000 die from it.

The HPV vaccine - which is given in three doses - protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes 70% of the cases of cervical cancer.

Ian Wake, Associate Director of Public Health at NHS South West Essex, says: “Being able to protect young women against this disease is a tremendous development and I urge all girls in these age groups to have the vaccination.

"The HPV vaccination is given in three doses, spread out over a period of time. Some young women may feel nervous about having an injection in their arm but the momentary discomfort will help reduce their risk of getting cervical cancer, which can be life threatening."

For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/hpv