21/01/2026
NHS England South East is calling on women aged 25–64 to book their cervical screening during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (19–25 January 2026) as part of its ‘Love Your Cervix’ campaign.
Cervical cancer causes around 685 deaths in England each year, but thanks to cervical screening and the HPV vaccination programme, eliminating cervical cancer is more achievable than ever before.
In addition, to offering protection against cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine protects against other high-risk types of HPV which can cause mouth, a**l, pe**le, vulval and vaginal cancers.
Who is eligible for the HPV vaccine?
- Year 8 schoolchildren (usually aged 12 and 13) are given the HPV vaccine through the school immunisation programme.
- If a child misses their HPV vaccine at school, they can catch up with the vaccine through their school or GP practice and remain eligible to receive it until they turn 25.
- Gay, bis*xual and other men who have s*x with men (GBMSM) can have the vaccine up to and including 45 years of age from specialist s*xual health services and/or HIV clinics regardless of risk, s*xual behaviour or disease status.
