Report: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage in adolescents in England: 2024 to 2025, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
What are the main points?
- A quarter of school-leavers in England are unvaccinated against HPV, leaving young women at risk of cervical cancer and both sexes vulnerable to other HPV-related cancers.
- Vaccination uptake by Year 10 (age 15) has fallen from pre-pandemic levels of 90% to just 75.5% of girls and 70.5% of boys, with the lowest levels in London (61% of girls and 56.9% of boys).
- However, national uptake by the time pupils reach Year 9 has risen compared with 2023/24, up 1.2% in girls and 2% in boys.
- HPV is offered free to all pupils in England from Year 8, and protects against conditions including cervical cancer, some head and neck cancers, and genital cancer and warts.
- The vaccine offers significantly stronger immunisation if administered before the age of 16, but a later dose still
- offers protection. Vaccination is available from GPs for free
- up to the age of 25
EXPERT THOUGHT
Dr Sharif Ismail, Consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA
‘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.’
Image | ISTOCK
