Second year is ongoing for the HPV vaccination but the number of girls favoring to get them vaccinated has really lessened as compared to the 64% year 7 girls, who got them vaccinated in the first year of vaccination. It's half-way through the year and only 6% eligible of South Canterbury year 7 girls have been immunized against HPV (human papillomavirus) till date.

Upon seeing the decreased number, National Women's Hospital Gynecologist Ron Jones has really shown her concern and held a meeting in Timaru last night to reassure parents if they have any concerns or doubts about the vaccine.

Professor Jones had earlier also pushed and supported the development of a vaccine against cervical cancer.

According to reports, in the year one offering the HPV vaccination in South Canterbury, 64% year 7 girls took part, whereas 28% declined and 8% did nothing. In 2009, this figure dropped to 56% of eligible year 7 girls whereas 31% declined and 13% did nothing. But this year’s figures are even worse than earlier ones as only 17% have got vaccinated, 8% have declined and 75% are doing nothing.

Though there are still six more months for year 7 girls to get vaccinated, as only 6% girls have been fully vaccinated till date, 2% have declined and 92% have done nothing.