Overview

• HPV vaccination rates among 12-13-year-olds in England have dropped significantly since the pandemic, with coverage for girls falling from 90% to 73% and boys from 82% to 68%.
• NHS England has initiated a catch-up campaign to restore vaccination rates to 90% by 2030, a critical step toward eliminating cervical cancer by 2040.
• The decline is attributed to vaccine fatigue, parental hesitancy, and a near doubling of persistent school absences, which now affect 20% of pupils.
• Cervical cancer screening rates remain below target, with only 69% of eligible women screened in 2023-24, far short of the 80% goal.
• Efforts will focus on raising awareness about HPV-related cancer risks, addressing parental concerns, and tailoring outreach to specific communities to rebuild vaccine confidence.