Quarter of school-leavers remain unvaccinated against HPV, UKHSA warns

One in four young people are leaving school without protection against the human papillomavirus (HPV) in England, according to new figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

The agency’s annual coverage data for the 2024/25 school year shows that uptake of the HPV vaccine remains below pre-pandemic levels, when around 90% of adolescents were vaccinated.

The HPV vaccine, which is now administered as a single dose, is typically offered to pupils in Year 8. It protects against several types of cancer, including cervical cancer, as well as head and neck cancers, genital cancers and genital warts.

By Year 10, vaccine uptake for 2024/25 was 75.5% for girls and 70.5% for boys in England. The highest uptake was recorded in the East of England, with 82.8% of girls and 78.2% of boys vaccinated.

Related Article: Lyme disease: what nurses need to know

In contrast, London had the lowest uptake, with 61% of girls and 56.9% of boys vaccinated.

Coverage has remained relatively stable over the past year, but health leaders have warned that a significant proportion of young people are unprotected.

Dr Sharif Ismail, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: ‘The HPV vaccine is one of the most effective cancer-preventing vaccines available.

‘While HPV uptake has remained stable, vaccination rates are still well below pre-pandemic levels and around one in four young people are still leaving school unprotected.”

The NHS continues to offer catch-up vaccinations to anyone who missed their dose at school. Young people remain eligible until their 25th birthday, and can arrange vaccination through their GP practice.

Health minister Stephen Kinnock said the government plans to expand access to catch-up vaccinations from 2026, including through community pharmacies.

Related Article: Specialist children’s nursing workforce ‘under intense pressure’

‘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,’ he said.

Caroline Temmink, director of vaccination for NHS England, added: ‘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.

‘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,’ she added.

The release of the new figures follows the launch of a survey of practice nurses and other GP staff regarding the HPV catch-up service.

Set up by NHS England’s Vaccination Digital Team, the research aims to better understand what is working well and what could be improved.

Related Article: Over one million switched to combined asthma inhalers since NICE update

The Eve Appeal charity recently emphasised that nurses were vital in promoting HPV vaccination and the attendance of regular screenings.