Quoth the Observer about HPV jabs:
Hugh McKinney of the pressure group the National Family Campaign questioned the wisdom of immunising such young girls. 'Vaccination against cervical cancer makes full sense to bring down occurrences of this dreadful disease. The only question is at what age is this most appropriate, and many people will question whether 12 years is too young to be undertaking a vaccination programme that is important for when girls become sexually active,' he said.
'It could be seen as helping to promote or encourage sexual activity in girls before they are physically or mentally mature.'
Gah! The whole point of giving young girls the jab at the age of 12 is that that age was deliberately chosen to coincide with the lack of sexual activity! As, gladly, the second and third paragraphs make clear:
Millions of girls would be immunised at school against human papilloma virus (HPV) before they become sexually active. Research has shown the virus is one of the key causes of cervical cancer, which kills around 1,000 women a year.
Routine injections against HPV have already been adopted in some US states and a handful of British parents have begun buying the £450 injection for their daughters through private clinics. The vaccine was licensed here earlier this year.
Incidentally, I am truly glad that this sort of issue isn't a wedge issue in the UK, so a Labour government can calmly Do The Right Thing without worrying that the Daily Mail will kick up too much of a fuss.
