S1 pupils encouraged to take up the offer of the free HPV vaccine as new report shows uptake remains lower than pre-pandemic levels
First published on 25 November 2025
- Immunisations
- Screening
- Sexual health
Public Health Scotland (PHS) has today published its latest annual human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation report, which shows that uptake remains lower than rates seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite a slight increase in rates among S1 pupils in 2024/25 compared with the previous year, HPV vaccination uptake has gradually declined over the past 10 years. The latest data show that inequalities persist; with uptake rates lower among males, for certain ethnicities, and for pupils living in the most deprived, as well as the most remote, areas.
Highlights from the report:
- Overall S1 coverage in 2024/25 was 72.6%, rising to 82.9% by S4.
- S1 female uptake was 75.7%, while male uptake was 69.7%.
- Uptake in S1 pupils in 2024/25 living in the most and least deprived areas was 62.0% and 83.4%, respectively.
- S1 uptake for pupils living in accessible rural areas was 75.9%, whilst for pupils living in remote small towns uptake was 59.5%.
- There were also differences in uptake by ethnicity.
HPV is a common virus, usually spread through sexual contact, and responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer. A study published by PHS earlier this month in International Journal of Cancer showed the HPV vaccine provides strong and sustained protection against cervical disease that can develop into cancer.
The HPV vaccine also helps to protect young people from other HPV-related cancers in later life, such as some head, neck cancers and anogenital cancers (for example, cancers of the anus, penis, vagina and vulva).
With vaccine consent forms starting to be sent home and vaccinations taking place early in 2026, PHS is encouraging all S1 pupils in Scotland to take up the offer of the free HPV vaccine to protect themselves against future risks.
Dr Claire Cameron, Consultant in Health Protection at PHS said:
“By continuing to vaccinate, and encouraging uptake of screening, elimination of HPV-related cancers will be possible in the future. I encourage all parents and carers of S1 pupils to chat to their children about the free vaccines offered, before signing and returning consent forms to school by the deadline.
“It’s so important for young people to take up the vaccine offer before being exposed to the HPV virus. We’re keen to encourage everyone to take up offer of vaccination and protect themselves against future risks.”
More information about the HPV vaccine, and when and where to get it is available at www.nhsinform.scot/hpv
More information on cervical screening can be found at www.nhsinform.scot/cervicalscreening