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Cancer

HPV Vaccine Uptake Rates Plummet Globally, Particularly Among Vulnerable Groups

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at Edinburgh Napier University are working to identify ways to improve communication messaging and address "vaccine hesitancy" among hard-to-reach groups, including those with intellectual disabilities, sexual minority groups, and ethnically diverse communities. The number of S1 pupils having one dose of the HPV vaccine dropped in 2023/24, continuing a long-term decline in HPV coverage rates. By focusing on targeted communications and listening to the views of vulnerable groups, academics aim to increase understanding and boost vaccination rates to prevent future cancer cases.

Key Takeaways:

  • The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine programme was introduced in Scotland in September 2008, but uptake rates have dropped globally since the Covid pandemic.
  • 4.5% of all cancers worldwide (630,000 new cancer cases) are attributable to HPV every year, highlighting the importance of vaccination in cancer prevention.
  • Researchers at Edinburgh Napier University are exploring ways to reach vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups, including those with intellectual disabilities, sexual minority groups, and ethnically diverse communities.
  • The reasons for lowered HPV vaccine uptake are many and varied, but targeted communications and listening to the views of vulnerable groups are essential in addressing vaccine hesitancy.
  • The World Health Organisation wants to see 90% of all girls vaccinated by 15 for cervical cancer elimination.
  • Academics are considering different ways to address the stigma around HPV and the vaccine, including tailored and sensitive messages for specific groups.
  • Public Health Scotland and Edinburgh Napier University researchers are collaborating to inform work on improving vaccine uptake, including the development of a cross-cultural HPV community engagement model.
  • The research on increasing uptake of the HPV vaccine has delivered critical insights into how gender, vulnerability, and social factors can affect vaccine access and acceptance.

Statistics:

  • 630,000 new cancer cases worldwide are attributable to HPV every year (4.5% of all cancers).
  • The number of S1 pupils having one dose of the HPV vaccine dropped in 2023/24.
  • HPV vaccine coverage rates have declined globally since the Covid pandemic.
  • The World Health Organisation wants to see 90% of all girls vaccinated by 15 for cervical cancer elimination.

Sources:

  • The Newsroom
  • Cuschieri K, Palmer T, Graham C, Cameron R, Roy K. The changing nature of HPV associated with high grade cervical lesions in vaccinated populations, a retrospective study of over 1700 cases in Scotland. Br J Cancer. 2023 Oct;129(7):1134-1141. doi: 10.1038/s41416-023-02386-9. Epub 2023 Aug 10. PMID: 37563221; PMCID: PMC10539290.

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