Key Summary
- GP practices across England will send invites via letters, emails, texts and the NHS App to those aged 16 to 25, who failed to get the HPV vaccination in school
- The vaccine protects against HPV infection, which causes cervical cancers, and is linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, anus, penis and vagina
- In the last three years, more than 418,000 children left school without getting vaccinated for HPV
To increase the coverage of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, the NHS is approaching youngsters who have still not taken the jab, which could protect them from cervical and other cancers.
GP practices across England will send invites via letters, emails, texts and the NHS App to those aged 16-25 whose records show they did not get their HPV vaccination in school.
Last month, the NHS rolled out digital invitations and reminders for cervical screening via the NHS App, as part of a new ‘ping and book’ service.
The vaccine is routinely offered each year to boys and girls (aged 12-13) to help protect them against catching the HPV infection, which causes nearly all cervical cancers, and is linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, anus, penis and vagina.
NHS teams carry out school catch-up visits for those who miss out, and host community clinics for home-schooled children.
But in the last three years, there has been a drop in vaccine coverage, with more than 418,000 children having left school unvaccinated for HPV.
It is also believed that many others now aged 16-25 who were not jabbed at school.
Primary Care and Community Services national director Dr Amanda Doyle said the vaccine is also vital for boys and men as it protects them from cancers of the mouth, throat or genitals, while preventing the spread of HPV infection through sexual contact.
UKHSA consultant epidemiologist Dr Sharif Ismail expressed concern over the fall in vaccine coverage after the pandemic.
"This new catch-up campaign is a really important opportunity for us to make sure that no teenage girl or boy, young woman or man is denied that protection," he said.
He appealed to the young adults up to age 25, who missed their school vaccinations, to approach their GP about catch-up options. "It’s never too late to get protected.”
Public Health and Prevention minister Ashley Dalton said, “If you missed your vaccination at school, it’s not too late. Don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your GP. One jab could save your life.”
