One in four school leavers did not receive their HPV vaccinations in the 2024/25 school year.
Figures released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also revealed that vaccination uptake numbers have not recovered from their pre-pandemic high of around 90%.
The report also found that the uptake for the HPV vaccine by Year 10 was “75.5% for girls and 70.5% for boys”.
The vaccines help prevent cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers, and they are offered to schoolchildren from Year 8.
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Across the UK, the UKSA found that vaccine uptake by Year 10 was worst in London, with only 61% for girls and 56.9% for boys.
Uptake was found to be the highest in the East of England (82.8%) for girls and 78.2% for boys.
Concerning
Pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock said it was “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.
The Department of Health and Social Care announced in July that community pharmacies would be able to deliver HPV catch-up vaccinations from 2026.
The initiative was part of the department’s drive to “increase uptake of HPV vaccinations among young people” and will support their “ultimate aim to eliminate cervical cancer” by 2040.
“The HPV vaccine is one of the most effective cancer-preventing vaccines available,” said Dr Sharif Ismail, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA.
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“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.
“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.”
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The vaccination “protects against HPV infection and its complications”, which can include “cervical cancer”, “genital warts”, “some head and neck cancers” and “genital cancer”.
Outside of private jabs, the vaccine was given exclusively to girls until 2018, when boys aged 12-13 also became eligible for the vaccine.
