Girls in two Bradford secondary schools are encouraging their peers to arm themselves against cervical cancer by getting vaccinated.

More than 150 girls from Tong High School and Buttershaw Business and Enterprise School have joined a life-saving campaign launched by NHS Bradford and Airedale to persuade girls aged 12 to 18 to make sure they have all three of the HPV (human papillomavirus) jabs. The vaccination protects against two strains of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.

Linda Scott, HPV lead for NHS Bradford and Airedale, said: “Once you start the course it is essential that you have all three vaccinations over a six-month period, to make sure you have the full protection.

“We decided to seek help from these two schools not only to boost the number of girls having the vaccination, but also because we felt these girls would be more effective at reassuring their peers that the jab was OK and they should get themselves protected against cervical cancer.”

Three of the girls from Buttershaw School who are supporting the campaign are 15-year-old Levi Robinson and 17-year-olds Rachel Phelps and Sharne Pattison.

Sharne, who went with her 18-year-old sister to her local GP, said: “I was really nervous as I’m scared of needles, but the nurse really helped me through it. I just had a bit of a sore arm for the rest of the day. Three little jabs are nothing compared to how much cervical cancer would hurt you.”

Rachel said: “I went with my cousin and we were really nervous, but the nurse took our mind off it. It was all over in three seconds and it’s worth it in the long-run.”

Levi’s advice to others is: “It really isn’t as bad as you think. If you are worried, you just need to keep calm, relax, and the nurse will be patient, reassure you, and let you take your time – you will be fine.”

Younger girls receive their vaccination through school and girls aged 17 and 18 visit their local GP surgery.

Because the vaccine does not protect against all types of the virus that causes cervical cancer, it is essential to have smear tests when older (25 and over in England).

For more information visit www.nhs.uk/hpv or call 0845 602 3303. or talk to your school nurse.