HPV vaccine uptake in Northumberland has increased from pre-pandemic levels new figures show, despite a significant drop in coverage across England.

The HPV vaccination protects against the human papilloma virus, which is responsible for most cervical cancer cases, plus other rarer cancers.

Jo's Cervical Cancer trust said the decline in uptake must be "reversed quickly" so progress in decreasing instances of cancer caused by HPV is not lost.

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Girls in England are offered free HPV jabs at school during years 8 and 9, when they are aged between 12 and 14.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency shows 90.2 per cent of year 9 girls in Northumberland had both HPV jabs in the 2021 to 2022 academic year.

It means 157 of the 1,607 girls in the cohort were not fully vaccinated.

The jab rate was up from 79.9 the previous year, when Covid restrictions impacted the vaccination programme in schools, and was also up from pre-pandemic levels in 2018 to 2019 when uptake was at 80.2 per cent.

Gill O'Neill, interim deputy director of Public Health at Northumberland County Council, said: "We are delighted to see an increase in HPV vaccine uptake in Northumberland, up from pre pandemic levels. 

"HPV is very common and can be caught through any kind of sexual contact with another person who already has it. Most people will get an HPV infection at some point in their lives and their bodies will get rid of it naturally without treatment. But some people infected with a high-risk type of HPV will not be able to clear it and over time, this can cause abnormal tissue growth as well as other changes, which can lead to cancer if not treated.

"We know that the HPV vaccine helps protect against cancers caused by HPV, including cervical cancer. Our school nursing teams have worked extremely hard to raise awareness of the importance of the vaccine and help to deliver it to as many young people as possible across the county."

Some girls were given the second shot in year 10 due to the impact of school closures. 80.2 per cent of this cohort across Northumberland had both jabs.

Samantha Dixon, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust chief executive, said cases of cervical cancer have fallen 87 per cent in vaccinated women, so progress cannot be lost.

"More education about the HPV vaccine, and how it can protect against cervical cancer, could help reduce vaccine hesitancy and tackle barriers to uptake," Ms Dixon added.

She said this is vital in areas with high levels of social deprivation or among children that have been excluded from school.

"The HPV vaccine - combined with cervical screening - gives us the opportunity to prevent many cases of cervical cancer and save many lives."

Across the country, about 67.3 per cent of year 9 girls were fully vaccinated last year – a drop from the level seen three years before, when 83.9 per cent had both shots.

North Somerset had the lowest level of coverage with just 17.7 per cent of year 9 girls fully vaccinated, while Stockport had the highest level at 91.6 per cent.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: "In recent years we have seen vaccine coverage fall due to the challenges posed by the pandemic.

"Many young people who missed out on their vaccinations have already been caught up, but more needs to be done to ensure all those eligible are vaccinated."

Ms Saliba added that children and young people who missed out on the vaccine should contact their school nurse, school immunisation team or GP to arrange getting the shots.

People are eligible for the jabs up until their 25th birthday.

“The vaccine works and will save lives," Ms Saliba said.