OVER 140,000 young people protected by HPV vaccine in North West but more needed to reach boys earlier.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published annual coverage data for the HPV vaccination programme for the 2024/25 school year.

While over 140,000 young people across the North West have now received the cancer-preventing HPV vaccine, the data shows that around 1 in 4 are still leaving school without this vital protection.

The North West's catch-up programmes are proving effective, with the Region exceeding the national average for vaccine coverage by Year 10. However, initial uptake in Year 8 remains a challenge, particularly for boys, where the North West has the 2nd lowest coverage of any Region in England.

Key findings for the North West:-

• HPV uptake by Year 10 was 77.9% for girls and 71.9% for boys – both above the national average
• Year 8 uptake was 70.4% for girls and 64.6% for boys – both below the national average
• Coverage improved significantly between Year 8 and Year 10:- by 7.5% points for girls and 7.3% points for boys
• Year 8 boys in the North West had the second lowest coverage nationally (64.6%), ahead only of London (59.7%) 

HPV vaccinations are offered to boys and girls in school from Year 8. The vaccine protects against HPV infection and its complications, including cervical cancer among women and people with a cervix, and conditions that can affect anyone including genital warts, some head and neck cancers and genital cancer.

The HPV vaccine is 1 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 prevent the terrible stress families go through when someone is diagnosed with cancer as well as saving thousands of lives.

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.

Dr Matthieu Pegorie, Consultant in Health Protection for UKHSA North West, said:- "Over 140,000 young people across the North West have now received the HPV vaccine, and I'm pleased that our catch-up programmes are making a real difference. By Year 10, coverage in our Region exceeds the national average for both boys and girls. However, we know we need to do more to reach young people earlier. We're focused on improving uptake in Year 8, particularly among boys, and we'd encourage all parents and carers to return consent forms when their child is first offered the vaccine. The HPV vaccine provides vital protection against several types of cancer, and the earlier young people receive it, the better."

Dr Linda Charles - Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning for NHS England in the North West, said:- "The HPV vaccine can save lives and help prevent up to 90% of cervical cancers, and we want to help ensure young people in the region are accessing vital protection against a range of cancers, including head and neck cancer. The HPV vaccine, along with cervical screening, will help us reach our ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 – a key element of the National Cancer Plan. 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 and I’d 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.

View the report about Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination here.