1 in 4 school-leavers unprotected by HPV vaccine

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has today published annual coverage data for the HPV vaccination programme for the 2024/25 school year. Uptake has remained relatively stable since the previous report, with around 1 in 4 still leaving school without protection against HPV - missing out on vital protection against cervical cancer for young women and several other HPV-related cancers for both sexes.

The latest data shows many more vaccines need to be taken up to recover pre-pandemic uptake rates which were around 90%.

Key findings from the report:

• HPV uptake by year 10 in England was 75.5% for girls and 70.5% for boys
• HPV uptake by year 9 for girls was 1.2 percentage points higher and for boys 2 percentage points higher - compared with the previous year 2023/24
• HPV uptake for girls by year 10 was lowest in London (61%) and highest in the East of England (82.8%) - and similarly for boys, 56.9% in London and 78.2% in the East England

HPV vaccinations are offered to boys and girls in school from year 8. The vaccine protects against HPV infection and its complications. This include cervical cancer among women and people with a cervix, and conditions that can affect anyone including:

• genital warts
• some head and neck cancers (which includes cancers of the mouth and throat)
• genital cancer

Dr Sharif Ismail, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

The HPV vaccine is one of the most effective cancer-preventing vaccines available. Now just a single dose given in school, it protects against cervical cancer and several cancers caused by HPV that affect both boys and girls, helping to save thousands of lives and the terrible stress on families.

While HPV uptake has remained stable, vaccination rates are still well below pre-pandemic levels and around 1 in 4 young people are still leaving school unprotected against several cancers. 

Driving up vaccine uptake will require sustained, targeted action across the NHS and wider health partners with support in schools, to improve awareness of the life-saving importance of HPV vaccination and ensure it's easy to get, especially if you have missed out. Young people remain eligible to catch up at their GP surgery until their 25th birthday.

Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said:

Every child deserves protection against cancers caused by HPV and it's concerning that too many young people are leaving school without this vital vaccine.

Through the National Cancer Plan, we will expand access to catch-up vaccinations in 2026, including through community pharmacies. This will make it easier for young people who missed out at school to get protected.

I'd urge any parent whose child has missed their HPV vaccine not to wait – speak to your GP or local NHS service today.

Research has shown that receiving the HPV vaccine before age 16 provides significantly stronger immune responses and greater protection against HPV-related cancers. While early vaccination is optimal, getting a HPV vaccination later as part of the catch-up programme still provides strong protection against HPV-related cancers.

For those who missed their school HPV vaccinations, catch-up options remain available and are highly effective. Anyone who missed their HPV vaccination, now just a single jab, can still receive it for free until their 25th birthday through their GP surgery. This also applies to boys born after 1 September 2006.

Caroline Temmink, Director of Vaccination for NHS England said: 

The HPV vaccine can save lives and prevent up to 90% of cervical cancers, so it's worrying that a quarter of young people are missing out on this vital protection against a range of cancers, including head and neck cancer.

The NHS is working hard to make it as easy as possible for young people to get the HPV vaccine via our ongoing catch up campaign as a key part of the 10 year health plan and our ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. I strongly urge those aged under 25 who missed their HPV vaccine in school to contact their local GP practice to arrange a catch-up session as soon as possible.

While the HPV vaccine provides excellent protection, attending cervical screening appointments remains crucial, even if you have been vaccinated. Screening can detect abnormal cells before they develop into cancer, allowing for early treatment and prevention.