The largest mass immunisation programme ever carried out in Scotland is to be launched this year. Thousands of teenage girls will be given a vaccine intended to prevent the development of cervical cancer in later life. The aim is to introduce the programme a year ahead of the rest of the UK.

Shona Robison, the Public Health Minister, will this week unveil details of the scheme, which is designed to protect against the two types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) - known as types 16 and 18 - that cause 70 per cent of cervical cancer cases.

The vaccine is to be offered to all girls under 18 in September and it is expected that at least 90,000 will be inoculated in the first 12 months of the programme. Girls will receive the immunisation at about the age of 12-13, with a 'catch-up' campaign being run to immunise girls aged 13-17.

'This immunisation programme - the biggest ever in Scotland - has the potential to save hundreds of lives each year,' said Robison. 'That's why we are moving swiftly to ensure that as many girls as possible receive the vaccine.

'By starting the catch-up programme this year, a year ahead of the rest of the UK, we are ensuring that more girls at the upper end of the age spectrum will receive the vaccine as soon as possible.'