News coverage heralds the start of annual HPV vaccinations

It´s been another busy week for our team promoting awareness of the start of the annual, autumn HPV vaccination programme for year 8 children in UK high schools from week commencing 16th September 2024.

Millions of children are set to be offered a life-saving jab to protect against 8 types of cancer from next week. Starting Monday 16th September, parents in the UK will be asked to consent to their child receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) jab.

The HPV vaccine could prevent over 100,000 cancers by 2058, it is estimated. Previously offered only to girls, the HPV shot is now available to all 12- and 13-year-olds, regardless of gender, providing a vital defence against cancer.

Newspaper and on-line articles to raise awareness

As well as appearing in The Sun newspaper and a link to the article on The Scottish Sun here:

 https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/health/13521706/hpv-vaccine-children-cancer/,

Birmingham Live have also shared the story here: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/children-offered-life-saving-jab-29923974

There are hundreds of different types of HPV, most of which are harmless, but some contribute to cancer. The jab protects against high-risk strains of human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical, throat, neck, head, penis, vagina, vulva and anal cancer.

HPV usually spreads through close skin-to-skin contact. This is usually during sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Cervical cancer is the main type of cancer linked to HPV. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV.

HPV vaccination take up is still too low

Both boys and girls can develop cancers caused by high-risk HPV infections when they grow up but only 56% girls and 52% boys were vaccinated in UK in 2022, lagging well behind other countries. Take up is particularly low in minority groups where stigma and lack of understanding of the wider benefits is lacking.

That´s why Oracle HNCUK has been running a campaign (Sign Away Cancer) for some time now to encourage parents to sign the HPV Consent form.

Michelle Vickers, of Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK, said: “Sign the HPV consent form and sign away cancer.” HPV is a common virus that infects the skin and cells lining the inside of the body, including the mouth, throat, and genitals. HPV infection usually causes no symptoms. For most people, HPV will be cleared from the body and they will never know they had it.

HPV increases the risk of some types of head and neck cancer, including oropharyngeal cancer (a type of throat cancer) and mouth cancer. Around 72% of these cancers are linked to HPV. Most cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, and anus are caused by HPV.