LONDON, June 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The UK's leading cervical cancer charity, Jo's Trust, has today welcomed the Department of Health's announcement that the HPV vaccine, Cervarix will be used in the national immunisation programme for 12/13 year olds starting in September, 2008.

Pamela Morton, Director of Jo's Trust, said:

"This is a wonderful moment for young women in England; for the first time their future health can be protected against a very common virus that causes 75% of all cervical cancers. 3,000 new case of cervical cancer are reported in the UK each year and tragically, 1,000 women lose their lives so my sincere wish is that the implementation of a national immunisation programme in September will, alongside the national screening programme contribute to a significant reduction in incidence and mortality in the near future.

"James Maxwell founded Jo's Trust almost ten years ago. Sadly, he did not live to see his vision that the trust make a difference to women's lives as he died five years ago today at the age of 45 from a brain tumour. He would have been so proud."

Notes to Editors

Jo's Trust http:// www.jotrust.co.uk is a registered charity established in 1999 by James Maxwell in memory of his wife Jo who died of cervical cancer.

It is dedicated to women, their families and friends affected by pre-cancer and cancer of the cervix.

Jo's Trusts objectives are - To raise the public profile and understanding of the causes of pre-cancer and cervical cancer and how they can be prevented and overcome - To create greater awareness of the importance of having regular cervical screening - To campaign for improved preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for cervical cancer

Further information:

Pamela Morton, Director Jo's Trust, +44(0)1327-341965, +44(0)7980-720061

Further information: Pamela Morton, Director Jo's Trust, +44(0)1327-341965, +44(0)7980-720061