New figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that thousands of young people across England are still missing out on vital protection against HPV-related cancers, with around one in four pupils leaving school unvaccinated.
The latest annual data for the 2024/25 school year reveals that uptake of the HPV vaccine has remained broadly stable compared to the previous year but continues to lag far behind pre-pandemic levels, when coverage was close to 90 per cent. The shortfall means many young people, particularly in urban and ethnically diverse areas, are entering adulthood without protection against cancers that are largely preventable.
HPV vaccination coverage by Year 10 currently stands at 75.5 per cent for girls and 70.5 per cent for boys. While this represents a modest improvement compared with the previous school year, the data highlights persistent regional inequalities. Uptake remains lowest in London, where just over 60 per cent of girls and 57 per cent of boys are vaccinated, compared with significantly higher coverage in the East of England.
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is extremely common and can cause a range of cancers, including cervical cancer, as well as cancers of the mouth, throat and genitals that affect people of all genders. The vaccine, now given as a single dose in schools from Year 8, offers long-lasting protection and is one of the most effective cancer-prevention tools available.
Public health experts warn that communities already facing health inequalities are often the most affected by lower vaccination rates. For many families in diaspora and migrant communities, barriers such as lack of awareness, misinformation, language differences and mistrust of health systems continue to influence uptake. These factors have become even more pronounced since the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Sharif Ismail, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, described the HPV vaccine as a powerful tool that can save thousands of lives. He stressed that while uptake has not fallen further, vaccination rates remain unacceptably low, leaving a significant proportion of young people exposed to cancers later in life. He said increasing uptake will require sustained, targeted action across schools, the NHS and community health partners to ensure families understand the life-saving importance of vaccination and can access it easily if they missed it at school.
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock echoed those concerns, warning that too many young people are leaving education without this basic protection. He confirmed that from 2026, access to catch-up HPV vaccinations will be expanded, including through community pharmacies, to make it easier for young people to get vaccinated outside the school setting. He urged parents not to delay and to contact their GP or local NHS services if their child has missed the vaccine.
Research shows that receiving the HPV vaccine before the age of 16 produces a stronger immune response, but health officials emphasise that vaccination later still offers significant protection. Anyone who missed their HPV vaccine can receive it free of charge through their GP surgery up until their 25th birthday, including boys born after 1 September 2006.
NHS England says improving access and rebuilding trust are central to its long-term ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. Caroline Temmink, Director of Vaccination at NHS England, said it is deeply concerning that a quarter of young people remain unprotected against cancers that can largely be prevented. She encouraged anyone under 25 who missed their school vaccination to arrange a catch-up appointment as soon as possible.
Health leaders also remind families that vaccination does not replace the need for regular cervical screening later in life. Screening remains essential for detecting early cell changes before they develop into cancer, even for those who have received the HPV vaccine.
For Chijos News readers, particularly within Black, migrant and diaspora communities, the message is clear: the HPV vaccine is safe, free and highly effective, and catching up could be life-saving. Closing the vaccination gap is not just a health priority but a matter of equity, ensuring every young person, regardless of background or postcode, has the same chance at a cancer-free future.