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Health Highlights

As part of the Health and Wellbeing work at Irish in Britain, it is important to showcase and celebrate the positive progress being made in health. While we often hear about health risks and challenges, there are also many success stories, community achievements and medical advances which should be highlighted.

Health Highlights aims to shine a light on these positive developments, celebrating the programmes, research and community initiatives that are helping people across Britain, saving lives and helping people live with better health.

HPV Vaccination Programme – the Impact

 

For the first time ever, there were no recorded deaths from cervical cancer among women aged 20–24 in England between 2020 and 2024.

Researchers estimate that the NHS HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination programme has already prevented around 200 cervical cancer deaths in England, with many more lives expected to be saved as vaccinated generations grow older.

Introduced in 2008, the NHS HPV vaccination programme has become a huge public health success story. The vaccine has dramatically reduced HPV infections and the number of cervical cancers developing in young women.

Research has shown that when the vaccine is given at the recommended age of 12–13 years, it can reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer by up to 87 percent.

 

A common virus

HPV is an extremely common virus, with around 8 in 10 people likely to come into contact with it during their lifetime, according to the World Health Organisation. Most people will never know they have had it, and in many cases the virus clears naturally. However, for some people it can remain in the body and increase the risk of developing certain cancers many years later.

Since 2019, the HPV vaccine has been routinely offered through the NHS school vaccination programme, extending the vaccine being offered to boys as well as girls, helping to protect future generations from HPV-related cancers.

For Irish communities living in Britain, this is a powerful reminder that prevention really does save lives. We know that conversations around cancer can sometimes feel difficult, but the success of the HPV vaccination programme shows just how effective early prevention can be.

 

How you can help protect young people

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, family member or friend, encouraging eligible young people to receive the HPV vaccine is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help protect their future health.

Although the programme has been hugely successful, it has been reported that vaccine uptake has fallen slightly since the pandemic. Continuing to support vaccination and attending cervical screening appointments when invited, are two of the most effective ways we can reduce the impact of cervical cancer and work towards a future where it becomes increasingly rare.

 

School immunisation

If your child is offered the HPV vaccine through school, or if you think you or a family member may have missed the vaccine if you are eligible, speak to your GP or the school immunisation team about catch-up vaccination. It is also important to note that since 2019, there is a catch-up programme available for women up until their 25th birthday.

Encouraging vaccinations and attending screening appointments is so important, and as a community we can help to reduce the impact of cervical cancer and protect our future generations.

Sources