Annual coverage data for the HPV vaccination programme for the 2024/25 school year, published by the UKHSA, shows uptake has remained relatively stable since the previous report, with around one in four still leaving school without protection against HPV - missing out on vital protection against cervical cancer for young women and several other HPV-related cancers for both sexes.

The latest data shows many more vaccines need to be taken up to recover pre-pandemic uptake rates that were around 90%.

Key findings from the report:

• HPV uptake by year 10 in England was 75.5% for girls and 70.5% for boys
• HPV uptake by year 9 for girls was 1.2 percentage points higher and for boys 2 percentage points higher, compared with the previous year 2023/24
• HPV uptake for girls by year 10 was lowest in London (61%) and highest in the East of England (82.8%), and similarly for boys, 56.9% in London and 78.2% in the East England.

Dr Sharif Ismail, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: ‘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.'

Health minister, Stephen Kinnock, said: ‘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.

‘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.'

Research has shown that receiving the HPV vaccine before age 16 provides significantly stronger immune responses and greater protection against HPV-related cancers. While early vaccination is optimal, getting a HPV vaccination later as part of the catch-up programme still provides strong protection against HPV-related cancers.

Caroline Temmink, director of vaccination for NHS England, said: ‘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 against a range of cancers, including head and neck cancer.

‘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.'