Health officials have urged hundreds of thousands of people to get a vaccine that protects against certain cancers. It comes amid warnings that more than 418,000 children have left school with no protection against human papillomavirus (HPV) in the last three years.
The HPV vaccine is offered to boys and girls when they are in Year 8 and is key to wiping out cervical cancer in the UK. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7% of cervical cancers. The jab also protects against genital warts and head and neck cancers, such as those in the mouth or throat.
Now, GP practices in England will invite 16 to 25-year-olds to have the vaccine if records show they did not have it in school. According to NHS England, more than 418,000 children left school without having the jab in the last three years, with concerns there are many more people aged 16 to 25 who are not protected.
Data shows that in the 2023/24 academic year, some 76.7% of girls and 71.2% of boys aged 14 to 15 were vaccinated against HPV by Year 10. Uptake in Year 8 increased to 72.9% among girls and 67.7% among boys, from 71.3% and 65.2% respectively a year earlier.
The health service will aim to boost uptake among girls to 90% as part of plans to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. It will also aim to increase the number of women attending cervical cancer screening appointments.
John Butler, Consultant Gynaecological Oncology Surgeon at The Royal Marsden and Medical Director at the Lady Garden, said: “Cervical cancer – and other HPV related cancers – are often devastating diseases — but we have the power to eliminate them, through vaccination and screening. It’s heartbreaking that so many young people are missing out on the protection the HPV vaccine offers, simply because uptake remains below NHS targets. Over 400,000 young people have left school unvaccinated in the last three years. That’s why this new move to remind those who missed out at school is not just welcome – it could be lifesaving.”
Jenny Halpern Prince MBE, CEO & Co-Founder, The Lady Garden Foundation said: “Everyone under 25 needs to have the HPV vaccine – not just females. The shocking figures released by the NHS today, revealing that over 400,000 children left school unvaccinated in the last three years alone, mean that so many young people are putting themselves at risk of cancers that they can protect themselves against.
“The HPV vaccine protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a widespread virus that can cause cervical, vulval, vaginal, mouth, anal & penile cancers (plus genital warts). This safe and highly effective vaccine is given in schools in Year 8 and is available free on the NHS to anyone under the age of 25 from their GP (and pharmacies from 2026).
“We urge all unvaccinated young people to book in as soon as possible with their GP. You don’t have to wait to be invited. At The Lady Garden Foundation we are working to ensure that all young people (and their parents) understand the many benefits of the HPV vaccine in protecting against six different types of cancer – visiting Freshers’ Fairs around the UK and delivering PHSE resources.”
