Health workers are urging more high school students to getimmunised against human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cervical and other cancers.

The authorities have launched a newcampaign aimed at getting more students to get vaccinated against the disease. Data showed that the number of children immunised against human papillomavirus (HPV) is much lower than that inother parts of Queensland. The immunisation is given to school students in grade eight.

GP Linda Beecham said, “People believe that if their children weren't sexually active they wouldn't be exposed to this virus and while that is quite true, the whole point of vaccinating at this younger age of grade eight is to hopefully allow them to develop antibodies when we know it is going to be a good response in that age group and to develop antibodies before they ever do become sexually active.”

Dr Beecham pointed out that cervical cancer rates have fallen 70 per cent in seven years since the vaccine was offered. The authorities are now intensifying their campaign to more of get Gold Coast high school studentsimmunised against the virus.