Catch-up campaign launched for lifesaving HPV vaccine

NHS England has launched a new catch-up campaign to encourage young people and parents to make sure they are up to date with the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine, which helps protect against several types of cancer.

The HPV vaccine is routinely offered each year to boys and girls in Year 8 (aged 12-13) to protect them against catching the HPV infection, which causes nearly all cervical cancers and is also linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, anus, penis and vagina.

As part of this campaign, GP practices across England are contacting patients aged 16-25 who missed their HPV vaccination in school, inviting them to come forward. These invites may come by letter, email, text, or through the NHS App. NHS teams are also carrying out school catch-up visits and hosting community clinics for home-schooled children.

What parents and young people need to do
Parents are being urged to return their children’s HPV vaccination consent forms promptly, helping protect them against future cancers. For young adults up to age 25 who missed their school vaccinations, it’s not too late to get protected - speak to your GP practice about catch-up options.

Read more about the campaign on the NHS England website