Lincolnshire’s first ever drive through HPV vaccinations to start at Johnson Community Hospital this week – appointments only

Lincolnshire’s first ever drive through vaccination centre will open its doors on Friday (10/7/20) this week, to 50 12-13 year olds to receive the first dose of their Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV) vaccination.

The drive in vaccination centre will be open at Johnson Community Hospital in Spalding from 10am for appointment only HPV vaccinations.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) is providing the drive through service to make sure children do not miss out on their vaccination, normally provided at schools which have been closed due to coronavirus.

Parents who have given consent for their child to receive the vaccination have been given timed appointments to attend the drive through centre to ensure social distancing measures can be followed to create a COVID-19 free environment.

Further locations across Lincolnshire for additional drive through vaccination centres will be announced soon.

The HPV vaccine provides protection against a number of life threatening cancers including cervical cancer and mouth, neck and throat cancers.

Across Lincolnshire, 82.4% of parents have already taken steps to protect their child’s health by supporting this year’s HPV vaccination programme.

Tina Bramley, Head of Clinical Services from Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust said: “We’re very pleased to be able to welcome parents and children to our first ever appointment only drive through HPV vaccination centre in Lincolnshire.

We’ve had a positive reaction from parents we have spoken to about our approach and welcome their support for the HPV vaccination. The vaccination will ensure that their children are protected against some very serious cancers in the future.

We will be able to confirm the additional drive through centre locations soon and will be in touch with parents who have given their consent for the HPV vaccination to make an appointment to attend

There is still time for parents who have not yet given consent for their child to have the HPV vaccination to check the letter sent to them last month and to complete the online form. Alternatively if parents require any additional information, they can contact our team on 01522 572950.”

The HPV vaccine offers significant protection against a range of cancers, 99.7% of which are caused by the HPV virus. The HPV vaccine is given in two separate doses, the first in Year 8 and a second 12 months later in Year 9. Both doses must be given to provide effective protection.

For the first time from this this year, the HPV vaccine is also being given to boys in Year 8 at school, aged 12 and 13 years in England to help prevent more cases of HPV related cancers in boys and girls.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust provides local community based health care services across the county to help people live independently at home including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language services, community nursing, school age immunisations and children’s therapy services. The Trust also provides four community hospitals.