MEDICS in Barnsley have issued an urgent call to eligible young people to have a life-saving vaccine which protects them against multiple cancers.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is offered to pupils in year eight to help protect them and on request at GPs for individuals aged up to the age of 25.

HPV is known to cause nearly all cervical cancers and is linked to cancer of the mouth, throat, anus, penis and vagina.

Figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show 81.6 per cent of year eight girls in Barnsley received the HPV jab in the 2023/24 academic year, higher than the national average of 71.3 per cent.

However nationally, in the last three years over 400,000 young people have left school without receiving this all-important and potentially lifesaving vaccination.

Now, the NHS is encouraging all eligible people to receive their HPV vaccination as part of a drive to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.

Dr David Crichton, chief medical officer at NHS South Yorkshire, said: “If you are eligible for the vaccine, or you are the parent of a child who has missed it, I urge you to get protected against HPV.

“HPV causes the majority (98.8 per cent) of cervical cancers and has been linked to even cancers in other parts of the body.

“This makes it vital that everyone receives the vaccine if they haven’t had it already.

“By increasing the uptake of HPV vaccination, which protects against most forms of the virus, we can look to make cervical cancer a disease of the past.”

Thanks to the vaccine there has been an 84 per cent reduction in cervical cancers in girls vaccinated in year eight against HPV when compared to previous generations.

GP practices across England will send invites via letters, emails, texts and the NHS App to patients aged 16 to 25 whose records indicate they did not get their HPV vaccination in school.

Steve Russell, national director for screening and vaccinations at the NHS, said: “The HPV vaccination programme has been shown to have dramatically lowered infections and rates of cervical cancer in vaccine-eligible women, with the strongest effects seen in those offered vaccination at younger ages.

“This is another leap forward - it saves lives by significantly reducing the risk of cervical cancer.

“With one quick HPV jab now making it simpler than ever to reduce your risk of cancers caused by the virus, it’s so important that people come forward when invited.

“Along with getting the HPV vaccine, it is also still vital to book in for a cervical screening appointment, which checks for high-risk HPV and remains one of the best ways to protect people from cervical cancer.”

Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock - who is also a former teacher - urged those eligible to come forward.

“There are lots of ways to reduce your risk factor for cervical cancer, including eating a healthy diet and quitting smoking,” she told the Chronicle.

“However, the most important preventative measures are having your HPV vaccination and attending your cervical cancer screening when contacted by your GP.

“Nearly all incidences of cervical cancer are accompanied by presence of a dangerous strain of the HPV virus.

“Having your vaccination prevents this dangerous strain, and recent findings show that vaccinated females have seen a 90 per cent reduction in cervical cancer.

“As with all cancers, if you are experiencing symptoms or if something doesn’t feel right, get in touch with your GP and check it out.

“Let’s fight back against cervical cancer and save lives here in Barnsley.”