BUNBURY has been identified as one of the most improved areas in Australia when it comes to young girls getting vaccinated against the highly contagious virus that can cause cervical cancer.
The National Health Performance Authority report showed that the rate of immunised 15-year-old girls in Bunbury had increased from 71 per cent in 2012 to 80 per cent in 2013.
WA recorded one of the highest rates of immunisation but coverage was as low as 56 per cent in some areas of Australia.
About 38,400 of the estimated 137,460 girls aged 15 in 2013 were not fully immunised.
Human papillomavirus is a common virus which for most people is harmless and without symptoms.
However, for others the virus can cause a range of cancers, such as cervical cancer and other conditions such as genital warts.
Four out of five people will have an HPV infection at some stage of their lives.
The report shows that out of the 137,460 girls estimated to be aged 15 in 2013, almost three-quarters of girls were fully immunised against HPV.
Authority chief executive officer Dr Diane Watson said the report provided the most nationally consistent data by local area available on HPV rates.
“The National HPV Vaccination Program was introduced in 2007, to protect girls against infection by a virus known to cause cervical cancer.”
The Healthy Communities: HPV immunisation rates for girls in 2013, In Focus report can be downloaded at myhealthycommunities.gov.au
