MEDICS’ urgent calls for eligible young people to have a life-saving vaccine which protects them against cervical cancer has been labelled as ‘vital’ by a Barnsley MP who has backed their message.
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 Cervical Cancer Awareness Week - which ran from June 15 - saw health bosses and Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock urge youngsters to take advantage.
It was announced that children vaccinated at age 12 or 13 against HPV have close to zero risk of dying from cervical cancer before the age of 30.
Between 2020 and 2024, no cervical cancer deaths were recorded in women aged 20 to 24 - the first time ever in a five-year period.
Stephanie said: “This data shows that we’ve made extraordinary progress on tackling cervical cancer in the last decade.
“Up to seven in ten instances of cervical cancer are prevented through cervical screening, yet one in three do not book a screening when invited.
“It’s vital that we keep vaccination rates high, so more people across our society are protected.
“We have come so far, but there’s still more to do.
“Experts still advise getting screened.
“I know cervical screening is not always easy for everyone, but it is incredibly important and potentially lifesaving.”
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.
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.”
Around 200 cervical cancer deaths have been prevented so far in England but lead researcher Professor Peter Sasieni says this is just the tip of the iceberg.
“As vaccinated generations grow older, we’ll see many more lives saved from cervical cancer,” he added
“It is incredible to think that a single jab can almost eliminate a particular type of cancer, and this new research shows just how vital it is to keep HPV vaccination levels high so more people are protected.
“While it’s encouraging to see the success of the vaccine, people who have received it should still consider taking part in cervical screening when invited.
“The HPV vaccination and cervical screening combined is the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer.”
