HPV vaccinations

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99.8% of cervical cancer cases in the UK are caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. All secondary school girls should be offered two doses of the HPV vaccine by the end of year nine (age 13 to 14) to protect them against the HPV strains most associated with causing cervical cancer. The first HPV vaccine dose should be offered in year 8 (aged 12 to 13) and the second dose in year 9 (aged 13 to 14). 

The closures of schools and self-isolation requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the delivery of the school-based immunisation programme in the 2019 to 2020 and 2020 to 2021 academic years. A variety of local arrangements were established to maintain the delivery of the programme, including catch up doses, using both school and community-based clinics.   

The uptake of the second dose of HPV vaccination in Waltham Forest improved notably in 2019 to 2020, rising above the England and London averages. During the 2021 to 2022 academic year the uptake of the second dose fell sharply in Waltham Forest to 49.1%, whereas the coverage across London and England as a whole recovered to 63.0% and 67.3% respectively.  

Source: OHID Public Health Outcomes Framework. Data from UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Date accessed: 26 April 2023.  

Note: 2021 to 2022 data is from UKHSA [https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/human-papillomavirus-hpv-vaccine-coverage-estimates-in-england-2021-to-2022]. Date accessed: 02 May 2023.  

In 2021 to 2022, data for girls in year 10 was collected and reported for the first time to assess the impact of catch-up activities on improving the low HPV vaccine coverage. The data showed an increase in coverage by year 10 compared to when these students were in year 9 at national and regional level. There was no evidence of increased coverage in Waltham Forest, where the uptake was similar or above the pre-pandemic levels [1].   

References:  

[1] UKHSA (2022). Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage in adolescents in England: 2021 to 2022. Health Protection Report volume 16 number 13. Date accessed: 02 May 2023