As we approach International HPV Awareness Day (4 March 2026) the NHS in Lincolnshire is strongly urging parents and guardians of boys and girls in Year 8 (12-13 year-olds) to give consent for their child to have the HPV vaccine.
Uptake of the vaccine among Lincolnshire school pupils is still well below pre-pandemic levels of around 90%, with nearly a third still not protected.
The most recent uptake rates for the 2024 to 2025 academic year show that uptake among year 8 females was 67.6% (3.7% lower than the previous year) and 60.3% for year 8 males (4.8% lower than the previous year).
What the HPV Vaccine protects against
The HPV vaccine is one of the most successful in the world, now given as just a single dose. It helps protect against the human papillomarvirus (HPV), more specifically it helps protect against cancers, including cervical, head and neck, and anal and genital cancers, which can affect both boys and girls.
The HPV vaccine has been offered to all girls in school year 8 since September 2008. From September 2019, the vaccine has also been offered to year 8 boys. This is because the evidence is clear that the vaccine helps protect both boys and girls from HPV-related cancers.
“The HPV vaccine is not new. Since 2008, over 10 million doses have been administered in the UK, and over 18 million people worldwide have received this vaccine. The HPV vaccine is 99% effective. It has already reduced rates of cervical cancer by 90% in women in their 20s who were offered it at ages 12 and 13 years,” explains Dr Sunil Hindocha, Medical Director, NHS Lincolnshire ICB.
“It is given to Year 8 children in school by our School Age Immunisation Service (SAIS), who will be visiting secondary schools between April and July. However, parents and guardians need to provide their consent for their child to be vaccinated and should have received a digital consent letter from school.”
How to provide consent
Any parents or guardians who, for any reason, have not received this letter can complete it online. If you need your child’s school code, you can find it here.
“Given what the HPV vaccine provides protection against, I strongly encourage all parents and guardians to provide their consent as soon as possible, to ensure your child can receive the vaccination in school and to help reduce their risk of certain cancers in the future,” adds Dr Hindocha.
If your child missed getting vaccinated, the HPV vaccine is available free on the NHS for all girls under 25 and boys born after 1st September 2006. Whilst your child still attends school, you can contact the school age immunisation service. If not, you need contact your GP surgery. It’s never too late to get vaccinated.
For more information, including who is eligible, visit www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hpv-vaccine/. You can also contact the School Age Immunisation Service by calling 01522 572950 or by emailing lhnt.sais@nhs.net.