logo
NHS urge young people to get HPV jab to protect against cancer

NHS urge young people to get HPV jab to protect against cancer

BBC News23-07-2025
The NHS is urging hundreds of thousands of people yet to have the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to get protected against cervical and other cancers.GP practices will send invitations via letters, emails, texts and the NHS App to patients aged 16-25 whose records show they did not get it in school.In June, government data found inequalities in vaccine uptake in different regions in 2023-2024, with the lowest rate seen in London for both female and male year 10 students.The vaccine is offered each year to boys and girls aged 12 to 13 to help protect them against catching the infection which causes nearly all cervical cancers and is linked to mouth, throat, anus, penis and vagina cancers.
'Get protected'
According to NHS England data, in the past three years more than 418,000 children left school unvaccinated for HPV – and there are believed to be many others aged 16-25 who were not vaccinated at school.NHS bosses want to reach as many as possible, under plans to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 - set out in the recently published 10 Year Health Plan.The NHS aims to increase uptake among girls to 90% by 2040, while also increasing the number of women getting cervical screening.The vaccine can also be given to those up to age 45 with immune-compromised conditions and to men who have sex with other men.NHS England added that the latest HPV vaccine, introduced in England in 2021, was proven to be more effective – and in the long term is predicted to reduce cases of women's cancer by 16% and HPV-attributable deaths by 9%, compared with the previous type.Studies in England have shown that the HPV vaccine stops 90% of cervical cancer cases.Dr Amanda Doyle, from NHS England, said: "Too many lives are lost to cervical cancer so the hard work of NHS staff across the country in vaccinating and screening as many people as possible will help us to meet our ambition of wiping out this disease."Encouraging progress has been made recently in increasing uptake but we know there is much more to do."Dr Sharif Ismail, from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: "We know that uptake of the HPV vaccination in young people has fallen significantly since the pandemic, leaving many many thousands across the country at greater risk of HPV-related cancers. "We're calling on all parents to return their children's HPV vaccination consent forms promptly."For young adults up to age 25, who missed their school vaccinations, please speak to your GP about catch-up options. It's never too late to get protected."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'My son hasn't had a glass of water since he was four - and I understand why'
'My son hasn't had a glass of water since he was four - and I understand why'

Daily Mirror

time42 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

'My son hasn't had a glass of water since he was four - and I understand why'

A new survey has revealed four in ten Brits rely on cups of tea to stay hydrated - and one mum has said her son hasn't drunk a glass of water in five years because it's "boring" More than two and a half million Brits struggle to recall the last time they had a plain glass of water. Research has discovered almost half rely primarily on cups of tea to stay hydrated, with a third opting for coffee or fizzy drinks. Boomers are twice as likely as Gen Z to rely on tea for their fluid intake. Meanwhile, women are more likely than men to fail to drink enough water. ‌ The survey based on 2,000 adults found only 17 per cent are consuming enough water, based on NHS guidance which suggests up to eight glasses a day. What's more, one in ten parents polled don't think their children drink enough each day. ‌ The study, which also surveyed 837 teenagers, discovered 15 per cent of them consume plain water only a few times a week at most, leaving many parents worried about their intake and three quarters having to 'force' their children to stay hydrated. It comes after a doctor's warning to people who drink even a 'single cup of tea'. ‌ Man called 999 for 'his own protection' - then ended up jailed himself ‌ One mum, Kelly Mulligan, 53, says her son, Max who is nine, hasn't had a glass of plain water since he was four years old. The youngster would rather drink apple juice, which Kelly dilutes with water to keep his sugar content down. "Max has never liked plain water he says there's no flavour," she said. "I don't drink plain water either. I can only drink carbonated water or tea." Kelly, from Brighton, who runs her own cleaning business, explained: "Max will take little sips of water if he needs to, but he's always thirsty and says plain water doesn't quench his thirst." ‌ Max has to take a bottle of water to school as they are not allowed anything else, but Kelly isn't sure how much of it he actually drinks. "He's healthy and happy, so I have no concerns. He has a varied diet and keeps active. It isn't like he's drinking no liquids at all. The diluted apple juice is a middle ground which helps keep my concerns for his teeth a bay," she said. ‌ According to the research commissioned by hydration drink Más+ by Messi, which is promoting positive hydration to keep Brits on top of their game, 34 per cent of 13–17 year olds prefer other beverages to water, while 26 per cent 'forget' to consume it. Meanwhile, 29 per cent of grown-ups reckoned tea, coffee and fizzy drinks are just as good as water for staying hydrated. However, 17 per cent regularly suffer symptoms they reckon are caused by dehydration, including headaches or tiredness. Only 12 per cent actively track their water consumption, with 60 per cent not bothering whatsoever – and the rest attempting to keep mental notes on their intake. Sophie Van Ettinger, global VP Más+ by Messi, said: "It's alarming the number of people who are not aware they are dehydrated daily and will often go through days experiencing a lack of energy or headaches, not realising a simple glass of water or even a hydration drink is the solution." Leo Messi, co-founder for the drink, added: "As an athlete, I know the importance of hydration for peak performance."

My flat is damp and mouldy. Can I take action?
My flat is damp and mouldy. Can I take action?

Times

timean hour ago

  • Times

My flat is damp and mouldy. Can I take action?

Q. I moved into a basement studio flat which became damp the first night I stayed. It has been deteriorating ever since. There is now mould on the walls. Under what legislation can I claim? A. Many housing conditions can expose tenants to damp and mould. They may feel unable to open windows because of security or noise concerns, their properties may suffer from poor or inadequate insulation or ventilation, and damp-proofing may be damaged or non-existent. Private and public sector landlords must comply with several pieces of legislation, including the Defective Premises Act 1972, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, Minimum Level of Energy Efficiency standard (2018), the Housing Act 2004, the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Decent Homes Standard (2006). These fall into two categories. • Read more expert advice on property, interiors and home improvement First, there are the statutory rights tenants have against their landlords that supplement any obligations set out in their tenancy agreements. Of these the most important are landlords' obligations to repair the structure and exterior of rental properties under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the obligation to ensure properties are fit for human habitation under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. Also, landlords have duties to ensure tenants are reasonably safe from personal injury and damage under section 4 of the Defective Premises Act 1972. Tenants routinely bring county court claims for compensation under these provisions and obtain orders for specific performance requiring landlords to remedy damp. Second, there are the housing health and safety standards enforced by local housing authorities as part of their public health functions. If council officers inspect and find damp that poses a risk to tenants' health, they have a range of options. These include the service of Improvement Notices under the Housing Act 2004, more draconian prohibition orders and financial penalties (that is, fines). You can therefore take action yourself under the 1972 and 1985 acts or ask your council to enforce health and housing standards under the Housing Act 2004. Mark Loveday is a barrister with Tanfield Chambers. Email your questions to

Ten benefits worth £12k pensioners can claim this month including free TV licence and council tax – are you missing out?
Ten benefits worth £12k pensioners can claim this month including free TV licence and council tax – are you missing out?

Scottish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Ten benefits worth £12k pensioners can claim this month including free TV licence and council tax – are you missing out?

PENSIONERS can get access to 10 benefits and freebies that could save them a whopping £12,700 a year. They include everything from free TV licences and NHS prescriptions to benefits such as Pension Credit. Advertisement 1 Pensioners can potentially get a huge £12,700 worth of freebies and benefits Credit: Getty The Sun has put together a list all the things you could claim and how much you can save... Pension Credit - £3,900 a year This benefit is available for pensioners on lower earnings. Pension Credit becomes available whenever you are able to start claiming your pension. The amount you can get depends on how much you've earned and your income. Advertisement But the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) says the average amount given out is a huge £3,900 a year. Free TV licence - save £174.50 Everyone who watches live TV is expected to pay the licence fee annually. It currently comes to £174.50 a year. However, if you're over the age of 75 and claim Pension Credit, you won't have to pay. Advertisement You can also get a discount if you're visually impaired. How to Qualify for Free or Discounted Council Tax! Free prescriptions and eye tests - save £139.50 You won't need to be claiming Pension Credit to get free NHS prescriptions. Anyone over the age of 60 in England, Scotland or Wales can get their prescriptions for free. If you're buying your prescription regularly and using an annual prepayment certificate this can cost up to £114.50 - so you'll make a huge saving by getting your prescription for free. Advertisement Over-60s are also entitled to a free eye test every two years. This can save you £25 each time. All you need to do is book your appointment as normal and inform members of staff that you are eligible for a free test. Discounted broadband - save £142.92 People who claim Pension Credit are often eligible for cheaper broadband. Advertisement The cheapest plans available to pensioners cost just £14.99 a month, compared to the average cost of £26.90. Over a year, this means you could save a staggering £142.92. Winter Fuel Payment - up to £300 Millions of pensioners are set to get a Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300 this year. The payment is being made to those with an income of or below £35,000 this winter. Advertisement A person needs to have reached state pension age by September 21 to be eligible for a payment. People aged up to 80 will receive a payment worth £200 while those aged 81 or over will get £300. Attendance Allowance - up to £5,741 a year Attendance Allowance is a benefit paid out to people over state pension age who need someone to help look after them. To qualify for the benefit you must have a disability or illness that requires you to be looked after, and you must have needed help for at least six months. Advertisement It's paid at two different rates depending on how much help you need. You get a lower rate of £73.90 a week, or £3,843 a year, if you need help either in the day or at night. The higher rate of £110.40 a week, or £5,741 a year, is if you need help at both day and night. The payment is not affected by how much your income is. Advertisement Council tax reduction - save £2,171 Some pensioners can claim a discount on their council tax bills. But the amount of reduction you can get will depend on factors like your age, income, savings and the benefits you receive. You can usually claim for a council tax reduction if you receive benefits like Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments and Carer's Allowance. Plus, those that receive the Guarantee part of Pension Credit may be exempt from paying council tax entirely. Advertisement If you receive Pension Credit, but not the Guarantee part, you may still be able to reduce your bill if you're on a low income and have less that £16,000 in savings. The average Band D Council Tax set by local authorities in England currently stands at £2,171 - so you could end up saving a huge amount. Free passports - save £94.50 Passports are offered for free by the Home Office to anyone born before September 2, 1929. That means most people who are eligible for the discount are in their late 90s. Advertisement But those who are can save £94.50. Cold Weather Payment - £25 Older people receiving Pension Credit can get Cold Weather Payments when temperatures drop. You'll get if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days. You will get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather. Advertisement If you're eligible you'll get the payments automatically. Discounted days out - save £37 Pensioners are entitled to special discounts on certain days out. The National Trust and English Heritage both offer discounts for seniors. If you've been a National Trust member for at least three consecutive years and you're aged 60 or over, this can get you 25% off your subscription. Advertisement It means you'll pay £72 rather than £96 a year, saving you £24. People aged 65 or over will pay £69 a year for English Heritage membership, versus £82 for most adults. That would save you £13 a year. You can also save on Interrail passes - which let you travel around Europe - by getting 10% off. Advertisement Cinemas and museums also offer cheaper tickets too. Since the amount that you save is dependent on the days out you prefer, the possibilities are endless.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store