Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that 8 in 10 of us will come into contact with at some point during our lives, and high-risk strains can lead to the development of certain cancers. In the UK, we have an effective HPV vaccination programme, yet awareness of it remains worryingly low.

HPV is transmitted by any skin-to-skin sexual contact, which includes sexual touch, oral, vaginal and anal sex, and sharing sex toys. In most cases, HPV is cleared by the immune system and doesn’t cause any issues. It is symptomless, and most people never know they have had it.

There are over 100 strains of HPV. Sometimes, when the high-risk strains of the virus linger, they can cause changes to cells which can develop into cancer. High-risk strains of HPV cause almost all cases of cervical cancer. HPV is also linked with head and neck cancers, anal and penile cancers, vulval and vaginal cancers, and low-risk strains can cause benign conditions like genital warts. 

Since 2008, girls aged 12-13 in the UK have been offered a vaccine to protect against certain strains of HPV as part of the schools’ vaccination programme. This was then extended to cover boys too in 2019.

The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against HPV-related cancers. Evidence shows the vaccine has already cut cervical cancer rates by 90% in England. In Scotland, there hasn’t been a single case of cervical cancer in women who were vaccinated since the schools’ programme was introduced for girls in 2008.

Yet, even with an effective HPV vaccination programme, awareness around HPV and the vaccine is low. Many people and families are unaware of both the risks of HPV and the preventative options available to them and their children. 

The latest Government data from January this year showed that HPV vaccine uptake in schools is still lower than before the covid pandemic, and uptake is only getting lower.

Parents consenting and returning consent forms is a key barrier to children accessing the vaccination at 12-13. According to School Age Immunisation Services (SAIS) providers, there has been more non-returned and declined consent forms since the pandemic. 

For those who missed out on the vaccination at school, there is a catch up programme. The HPV vaccine is available free on the NHS until the age of 25 through GP practices and up to 45 for some people who may be at a higher risk such as men and trans people who sleep with men, sex workers and people who are immunosuppressed, through sexual health centres. It is also available privately until the age of 45. 

We’re supporting Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK in their Sign Away Cancer campaign. Through this campaign, we are empowering parents, carers, and individuals with clear, accessible information about HPV vaccination, enabling informed decisions that could prevent cancer before it starts.