Closing the gap on HPV vaccination: Young people's ideas for change
Over the past few months, our five young peer researchers have spoken directly with more than 326 young people across Greenwich to understand their views on HPV, the HPV vaccine, and the information available to them.
Now, we’re taking these insights to stakeholders across South East London, from GPs to hospital teams and local sexual health clinics, to show what good care looks like through the eyes of young people.
What young people say will improve HPV vaccine awareness and uptake
Through workshops, interviews, and community events, our young researchers uncovered clear and consistent themes. Many young people who got the vaccine at school didn’t know what HPV was, how it spreads, and how the vaccine protects them. Misconceptions were common, some believed HPV could only be caught after multiple sexual experiences, or only at a certain age.
Stigma was another powerful factor. For some, getting the vaccine was seen as a sign of being sexually active, making it harder to discuss openly with parents or even friends.
For those who missed the school vaccination, catching up wasn’t always straightforward. Some said they would turn to their GP or a sexual health clinic for information and support but past experiences suggested these services can be difficult to access and don’t always feel youth-friendly, especially when discussing sensitive topics like HPV.
When asked what would help, young people’s answers were clear: provide accurate, relatable information in the places they already spend time, especially online through platforms like TikTok and Instagram. For many, these channels would be the first step in learning about HPV, with clinics, GPs, or school nurses as the next step for getting questions answered and deciding whether to have the vaccine.
To hear directly from our researchers and see their recommendations for schools, health services, and public health teams, watch the short films they created:
- Young People’s Experiences with Health Services
- What Do Young People Really Know About HPV?
- Young People’s Views on the HPV Vaccine
- Ideas to Help More Young People Get the Vaccine
- What Works: Boosting HPV Awareness and Uptake
The Urgent Case for Boosting HPV Vaccination
Just one dose of the HPV vaccine can protect against the virus that causes nearly all cervical cancers, as well as other cancers affecting men and women. But too many young people are missing out. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, uptake has fallen, In Greenwich, the rates are well below national targets, with more than 25% of girls and nearly 40% of boys missing out on vaccination since 2024.
That’s why the HPV vaccine is one of the few immunisations highlighted in the new 10-year NHS Health Plan with an ambitious goal of 90% coverage among girls by 2040 as part of the drive to eliminate cervical cancer within 15 years. But national targets alone won’t close the gap, real progress will depend on effective local action shaped by the voices of young people.
Our Contribution to a National Goal
By centring young people’s experiences, our project offers practical, real-world ideas to boost HPV vaccine uptake, from creating youth-friendly messaging to making sure that clinics, GPs, and school vaccination teams feel welcoming and easy to navigate. These changes won’t happen overnight, but they are steps we can take locally to improve awareness, reduce stigma, and make it easier for young people in Greenwich to benefit from this life-saving vaccine.
Our full report will be available in September.
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