The NHS is urging hundreds of thousands of people yet to have the
lifesaving human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to get protected
against cervical and other cancers.
GP practices across England will send invites via letters,
emails, texts and the NHS App to patients aged 16-25 whose
records show they did not get their HPV vaccination in school.
The vaccine is routinely offered each year to boys and girls in
year 8 (aged 12-13) to help protect them against catching the HPV
infection which causes nearly all cervical cancers, and is linked
to cancers of the mouth, throat, anus, penis and vagina.
If anyone misses the jab, NHS teams carry out school catch-up
visits and host community clinics for home-schooled children.
But in the last three years alone, more than 418,000 children
left school unvaccinated for HPV - and there are believed to be
many others now aged 16-25 who were not jabbed at school.
So NHS chiefs want to reach as many as possible, under plans to
eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 as set out in the
recently-published 10 Year Health Plan.
The NHS aims to boost uptake among girls to 90% by 2040, while
also increasing the number of women getting cervical screening.
In the 2023/24 academic year, 76.7% of girls and 71.2% of boys
aged 14-15 were vaccinated by year 10. Uptake in year 8 increased
compared to the previous year (72.9% of girls and 67.7% of boys
in 2023/24, compared to 71.3% and 65.2% respectively for the
first dose in 2022/23). Until 2023 two doses were required.
Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director of Primary Care and
Community Services, said:
“This vaccine is hugely important in our fight to eradicate
cervical cancer but it isn't just for girls and women – it's also
vital for boys and men to get vaccinated to protect themselves
against cancers of the mouth, throat or genitals, while
preventing spreading the HPV infection to sexual partners who
could then develop cervical cancer.
“Too many lives are lost to cervical cancer so the hard work of
NHS staff across the country in vaccinating and screening as many
people as possible will help us to meet our ambition of wiping
out this disease.
“Encouraging progress has been made recently in increasing uptake
but we know there is much more to do.
“So if you're eligible for a HPV vaccination or are the parent of
a child who is eligible, but didn't get the vaccine at school
when they had the chance, I would urge you to come forward when
your GP contacts you. Only a single dose is required and it could
save you or your child's life.”
Dr Sharif Ismail, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA,
said:
“We know that uptake of the HPV vaccination in young people has
fallen significantly since the pandemic, leaving many many
thousands across the country at greater risk of HPV-related
cancers. This is a real concern as each HPV vaccine, now just a
single dose offered in schools, gives a young person good
protection against the devastating impact of these cancers, which
includes cervical, genital, mouth and throat cancers. This new
catch-up campaign is a really important opportunity for us to
make sure that no teenage girl or boy, young woman or man is
denied that protection.
“We're calling on all parents to return their children's HPV
vaccination consent forms promptly. This simple action could
protect your child from developing cancer in the future. For
young adults up to age 25, who missed their school vaccinations,
please speak to your GP about catch-up options. It's never too
late to get protected.”
Public Health and Prevention Minister
said:
“The HPV vaccine is our most powerful tool in our fight to
eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. But we've got a long way to
go. Thousands of young people are still unvaccinated and
vulnerable to this disease - which is so easily prevented.
"If you missed your vaccination at school, it's not too late.
Don't hesitate to make an appointment with your GP. One jab could
save your life."
The vaccine can also be given to those up to age 45 with
immune-compromised conditions and men who have sex with other
men.
The latest HPV vaccine, introduced in England in 2021, is proven
to be even more effective – and in the long term is predicted to
reduce cases of women's cancer
by 16% and HPV-attributable deaths by 9%, compared to the
previous type.
Studies in England have shown that the HPV vaccine stops 90% of
cervical cancer cases.
Last month the NHS rolled-out digital invitations and reminders
for cervical screening via the NHS App, as part of a new ‘ping
and book' service.
