Bedfordshire below the national average for cases of genital warts

The latest figures show there are 122 cases for every 100,000 people in Bedfordshire, compared to a UK average of 130 cases.However, although year-on-year numbers were not available for the county, across the East of England there has been a 20 per cent increase in cases since 2000.

A spokesman for The British Association of Sexual Health and HIV said: “Each year the NHS spends at least £46million treating cases of genital warts, and a further £4million treating other rare but serious conditions caused by the infection.

“The data comes on the back of a survey of sexual health doctors, which revealed their overwhelming support for vaccinating for genital warts as part of the school-based vaccination programme for 12 to 14-year-old girls, established by the government in 2008.

“The current vaccine administered through the NHS prevents the strains of Human papilloma viruses (HPV) that cause cervical cancer, but leaves young women at risk of developing genital warts.

“Nine out of ten sexual health doctors say they would advise their own daughters to ignore the NHS treatment and instead seek an alternative vaccine that protects against both conditions.”

What do you think? Email [email protected]