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Youth

HPV Vaccine Uptake Among Young People Continues to Drop

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The recent government figures have highlighted a continued decline in HPV vaccine uptake among young people in the UK. This trend is concerning, given that the vaccine is essential in preventing one of the most preventable cancers. According to Cancer Research UK, 99.8% of cervical cancer cases are preventable. However, only 71.5% of S1 pupils in the 2023/2024 school year received the vaccine, a decrease from 72.9% the previous year and 73.5% in 2021/2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • The HPV vaccine uptake has been declining over the past few years, with 71.5% of S1 pupils receiving the vaccine in the 2023/2024 school year, down from 72.9% in the previous year and 73.5% in 2021/2022.
  • Cervical cancer rates dropped by nearly 90% among women in their 20s in England who were offered the vaccine when they were aged between 12 and 13, according to a 2021 study.
  • The vaccine uptake rates differ significantly between deprived and affluent communities, with the most deprived areas having 59.9% of S1 pupils vaccinated, compared to 82.1% in the least deprived areas.
  • More girls than boys receive the vaccine, although males are not at risk of cervical cancers.
  • The HPV vaccine protects against nine types of HPV and is usually offered to school pupils aged between 12 and 13.
  • Dr Claire Cameron, a consultant in health protection at Public Health Scotland, expressed concern over the increasing inequalities in vaccine uptake since the pandemic.
  • The main theory behind the decline in vaccine confidence is the different ways people are engaging with education and healthcare since the pandemic.

Statistics:

  • Only 71.5% of S1 pupils in the 2023/2024 school year had the HPV vaccine.
  • 72.9% of S1 pupils had the vaccine in the previous year.
  • 73.5% of S1 pupils had the vaccine in 2021/2022.
  • 59.9% of S1 pupils in the most deprived areas had the vaccine.
  • 82.1% of S1 pupils in the least deprived areas had the vaccine.
  • 90% reduction in cervical cancer rates among women in their 20s who received the vaccine when they were aged 12-13.

Sources:

  • BBC: "HPV vaccine: Concerns over low uptake among young people" [n/a - no date]
  • Cancer Research UK: "HPV vaccine"
  • Public Health Scotland: "HPV vaccine uptake" [n/a - no date]
  • A 2021 study: "Cervical cancer rates drop by nearly 90% among women in their 20s who received HPV vaccine" [n/a - no date]

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