By Hannah Scott, communications officer
CERVICAL CANCER PROGRAMME WORKING BUT NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY
MSP Dawn Black has encouraged residents to get the HPV vaccine to help fight cervical cancer.
In Scotland, HPV vaccination is routinely offered to pupils in S1 (around age 12) and re-offered in subsequent years (S2-S4) – with figures showing an around 86.6% (Aberdeenshire) and 82.4% (Angus) coverage rate across Angus North and Mearns by the end of S4.
A study in 2024 showed no cervical cancer cases have been detected in fully vaccinated women following HPV immunisation at age 12-13 since the programme started in Scotland in 2008.
However, Scotland wide figures have shown a decline in the overall rate of vaccination over the last ten years – down from 93.3% in 2015/16, to 82.9% in 2024/25 – showing that progress is not linear.
SNP MSP Dawn Black said: “The HPV vaccine is a vital and easily accessible treatment to prevent illness related to HPV. Scotland has high rates of vaccination, but these figures show we cannot be complacent about that progress and must prioritise young people’s health.
“The SNP Scottish Government started this successful programme and, while we know no cervical cancer cases have been detected in women fully vaccinated in secondary school, we need vaccination rates to remain high, to protect women and girls in Scotland, through vaccinations that have shown progress and development in women’s health.
“It’s for that reason that I would encourage everyone here in Angus North and Mearns who is eligible for the HPV vaccine to get it and continue the fight against cervical cancer and other forms of cancer that stem from HPV.”
The data was taken from PHS Vaccination Surveillance.