GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) cervical cancer vaccine, Cervarix, was confirmed as the UK Department of Health's vaccine of choice for its national human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation programme.

The programme, which aims to protect against the two types of HPV that are responsible for approximately 70 per cent of cervical cancers1, will start in September 2008 and will vaccinate girls aged 12 to 13 each year. There will also be a catch up programme for girls aged 14 up to 18 years, which will be implemented over the next 2-3 years.

"This is great news for girls and women across the UK and reflects the growing confidence in Cervarix, which provides cervical cancer protection with a strong and sustained immune response," said Eddie Gray, president of Pharmaceuticals Europe for GSK. "We are delighted to be working with the UK Department of Health to help reduce the burden of cervical cancer and believe the benefits of this programme will be felt by women and their families for generations to come".

In the UK, an average of 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and approximately 1,000 die from the disease each year. Cervical cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among women globally, killing one woman every two minutes. As well as the deaths associated with the disease, cervical cancer and pre-cancerous lesions are also a significant cause of emotional and physical distress in women. Alongside screening and a healthy lifestyle, vaccination is expected to significantly reduce the lifetime risk of cervical cancer.

GSK's cervical cancer vaccine is already approved in 64 countries worldwide. As the first major national tender for which GSK has bid, the UK win marks another important milestone. This represents one of the largest human papillomavirus national immunisation programmes in the world to date and GSK looks forward to working with more governments around the world to ensure that as many girls and women as possible can benefit from cervical cancer vaccination with Cervarix.

GSK will now work with the UK Department of Health to support the successful implementation of the cervical cancer vaccination programme.