Sefton’s Director of Public Health, Dr Rory McGill has welcomed the findings of a new study showing the life‑saving impact of the HPV vaccine.

Published by the Queen Mary University of London, the study found that deaths from cervical cancer have fallen to nearly zero in young women who received the HPV (human papillomavirus vaccine).

Effective

Dr McGill said: “This is very positive news and shows just how effective the HPV vaccine is at protecting young women from cervical cancer.

“In Sefton, the vaccine is given routinely to girls aged 12 to 13. It is also given to boys to protect them from other cancers.

“The outcome of this study show just how effective those vaccinations are, and I would urge parents and carers to make sure any girls and boys above this age have had them.

“You can do this through your GP, online through the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hpv-vaccine, the NHS App or by calling 119 for free if you are not online.”

Cancer deaths have dropped

The new study, of women under 30, found that cancer deaths have dropped significantly since school-age girls began being offered it in 2008. Around 200 lives have already been saved in England thanks to the vaccine.

However, the study’s lead author Peter Sasieni, warned that a reduction in the number of teenagers getting vaccinated could lead to a rise in deaths again.

Since COVID, the rate of HPV vaccine uptake has fallen nationally from around 90% to just 75%. This could be result in another 15 to 25 avoidable deaths each year in young women in the future.

Protection to fight diseases

Dr McGill added: “Vaccinations are the most effective and safest way to protect ourselves from a range of illnesses. They give your body the protection to fight diseases that could otherwise make you very ill or prove fatal.

“Check you and your family are to up to date now and make sure you’re fully protected.”

You can find out more about HPV vaccinations from the NHS here.