A vaccination programme to protect against cervical cancer has been launched in Surrey.

The vaccine will guard against the two strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) virus that cause 70% of cases of cervical cancers, the second most common cancer in women worldwide.

It is estimated that the programme will save around 400 lives a year in the UK.

The HPV vaccination has been introduced as part of the routine childhood immunisation programme and will be offered to all 12 to 13- year-old girls in Surrey.

As part of a national campaign, the HPV immunisation programme is an opportunity to reduce the number of women affected by cervical cancer and will bring benefits to women and their families for generations to come.

Girls aged 12 to 13 years will be offered the HPV vaccine in Year 8 and schools will have the dates when the immunisation teams will be visiting.

Three injections will be needed over a period of six months. During 2009 and 2011 there will be a catch-up programme, so all girls leaving school after 2011 will have been offered the vaccine.

Tricia Spedding, of Surrey PCT said: "This is a very positive step towards beating cervical cancer and I'd really encourage all Year 8 girls to have the course of three jabs to guard against it."

"HPV vaccination will guard these young women against the most common forms of cervical cancer - reducing the number of premature deaths."

"The HPV vaccine and our existing successful cervical screening programme mean we can help women of all ages to avoid the threat of this cancer."

The vaccine itself is safe, with no serious side effects reported either in clinical trails or among the hundreds of thousands of women who have received it worldwide.

In addition, there will also be a catch-up campaign offering the vaccine to all 17 and 18-year-old girls through their GP practice.

All girls born between September 1, 1990, and August 31, 1991, - Year 13 for those at school - will be invited by their GP for a course of vaccinations.

Details on 0845 602 3303. Website: www.immunisation.nhs.uk www.immunisation.nhs.uk