ARGYLL and Bute MSP Jenni Minto is encouraging young people and their families to take up the HPV vaccine after new figures highlighted its success in preventing cervical cancer.
The vaccine is routinely offered to pupils in S1, usually aged 12 or 13, with further opportunities to receive it during S2 to S4 for anyone who missed their first invitation.
Latest figures show that 81.8 per cent of eligible pupils in Argyll and Bute had received the vaccine by the end of S4.
The call comes after a Scottish study published last year found no cases of cervical cancer had been detected in women who were fully vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) at the age of 12 or 13 since Scotland’s vaccination programme began in 2008.
Despite the programme’s success, vaccination rates have fallen nationally over the past decade, dropping from 93.3 per cent in 2015/16 to 82.9 per cent in 2024/25.
Ms Minto said the findings showed the importance of maintaining high vaccination uptake.
She said: “The HPV vaccine is really important and Scotland has high rates of vaccination, but these figures show we cannot be complacent about that progress.
“While we know no cervical cancer cases have been detected in women fully vaccinated at 12 to 13, we need vaccination rates to remain high.
“I would encourage everyone in Argyll and Bute who is eligible for the HPV vaccine to get it and continue the fight against cervical cancer and other forms of cancer linked to HPV.”
HPV is a common virus that can cause several types of cancer, including cervical cancer, and the vaccine is regarded as one of the most effective ways of preventing HPV-related disease.
