A Roman catholic school in Medway will allow its girls to receive the cervical cancer vaccine.

David Kelly, head teacher of St John Fisher Catholic School, Chatham, says the school sees it as an important step in securing the future health of young people.

He said: “St John Fisher school is going a head with administering the vaccine.

“We do not feel there is conflict between administering the vaccine and the teaching of the catholic church.”

His decision comes despite concerns at other UK faith schools, including one in Manchester, which decided to ban the jabs.

Governors at St Monica’s High School in Manchester wrote last month to the parents of its 1,200 pupils to say they believed the school was “not the right place” to adminster the injections. It was, they said, for health not moral reasons such as fears of encouraging promisicuity.

The letter pointed out that a number of students who took part in a pilot study has subsequently suffered nausea, joint pain, headaches and high fevers.

The jabs will be offered for the first time at all Medway schools from November.

Girls in Year 8, aged 12 and 13, will be given the vaccine first as part of a national NHS scheme targeting young women before they become sexually active.

The inoculation will then be offered to girls in other year groups in a catch-up programme during the next two years.

Most young women are expected to have their vaccination at school but for those not at school, or who have missed a dose, a vaccination at their GP’s surgery can be arranged.

Girls aged 17 and 18 will also have to visit their GP to receive the jab.

Vaccination is not compulsory but Dr Alison Barnett, director of public health for Medway Primary Care Trust, is urging all young women to make use of the major breakthrough.

She said: “It will prevent a higher number of women developing the disease with all the associated anxiety and suffering.

“It is also important that all women continue to respond to invitations for cervical screening tests as the vaccine does not prevent all cervical cancers.”