NEW data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show that uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among school-aged children in England remains below pre-pandemic levels, despite slight year-on-year improvements. HPV can cause cervical cancer as well as genital warts and several cancers affecting the mouth, throat, and genital areas in both sexes.
HPV Vaccine Uptake Still Falling Short
During the 2024–2025 academic year, 71.7% of Year 8 girls and 67.0% of Year 8 boys received their HPV vaccine. Coverage was marginally higher among older students: by Year 10, uptake had risen to 75.5% for girls and 70.5% for boys. Although these figures suggest small improvements on last year’s results, around one in four pupils still leave school without vital protection against HPV-related cancers.
Modest Progress Across Cohorts
Comparing this year’s data to 2023–2024, uptake improved slightly for Year 9 students, by 1.2 percentage points for girls and 2.0 percentage points for boys. When tracking the same group from Year 8 to Year 9, coverage rose by 2.4 percentage points for girls and 2.8 points for boys, showing that extra vaccination opportunities after the initial roll-out are making some impact.
However, the UKHSA notes that uptake remains far from the pre-pandemic peak of around 90%. That means many young people are missing out on strong, early protection that greatly reduces their lifetime risk of developing cervical and other HPV-related cancers.
Sharp Regional Differences Persist
Regional figures highlight striking disparities across England. Among Year 9 girls, coverage ranged from 62.6% in London, the lowest in the country, to 81.1% in the East of England, the highest. A similar pattern emerged among boys, with London again trailing at 57.7% and the East of England leading with 76.2%. These regional gaps suggest that local healthcare engagement, access, and school-based delivery all play key roles in vaccine take-up.
Catch-Up Opportunities Remain Vital
Although uptake has stabilised, efforts to boost coverage continue. The NHS emphasises that anyone who missed their school vaccination can still receive a free single-dose HPV vaccine through their GP until the age of 25. Reinforcing accessibility through catch-up programmes and community campaigns will be crucial to closing the gap and moving England closer to its goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2040.
Reference
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine coverage in England: 2024 to 2025. 29 January 2026. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/human-papillomavirus-hpv-vaccine-coverage-in-england-2024-to-2025. Last accessed: 30 January 2026.
