The videos aim to dispel common misconceptions about the vaccine and highlight its role in preventing serious illnesses.
Haringey Council’s Public Health Team has launched a series of educational videos in collaboration with Greig City Academy and health sector partners to promote awareness of the HPV vaccine. Timed to coincide with International HPV Awareness Day, the campaign encourages eligible young people to get vaccinated and protect themselves against several types of cancer.
The videos aim to dispel common misconceptions about the vaccine and highlight its role in preventing serious illnesses. By providing clear and accessible information, the initiative seeks to increase vaccination rates among young people in Haringey.
Councillor Lucia das Neves, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care & Wellbeing, expressed the council’s commitment to improving uptake: “We are delighted to be working closely with Greig City Academy and our health and care system partners to ensure that young people and their parents across Haringey understand the benefits of the HPV vaccine. This free, life-saving vaccination can prevent thousands of cancer cases later in life, and we will be working hard to raise awareness and increase uptake in our borough.”
“We will be working hard to raise the vaccination rate in our borough, so that we can prevent many thousands of cases of cancers later in life.”
Lucia das Neves, Cabinet Member for Health
The Covid-19 pandemic led to a significant drop in HPV vaccination rates across the country, and Haringey has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. Before the pandemic, 79% of Year 8 students received their first dose of the vaccine, but this figure has now fallen to 66%, leaving many young people unprotected.
The HPV vaccine is offered to school children in Year 8, but anyone under 25 can still receive it through their GP. The council urges young people to take advantage of this opportunity to safeguard their future health.
Haringey Council is encouraging parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated to protect against serious diseases. Vaccination remains the safest and most effective way to prevent illnesses that can spread easily in schools and communities.
The NHS advises that babies and children receive their routine immunisations according to the Routine Childhood Immunisations Schedule. Parents will usually be contacted by their GP when their child is due for a vaccination, but they can also book appointments directly with their surgery without waiting for an invitation. Vaccinations may take place at GP surgeries or local child health clinics.
School-Age Vaccinations
For school-age children, Vaccination UK, commissioned by NHS England, provides vaccinations to pupils attending Haringey schools. Parents will receive a consent form when their child is due for a vaccination.
Key vaccinations include:
• HPV vaccine – offered to children in Year 8 to protect against cancers caused by the human papillomavirus
• DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio) and Meningitis vaccine – given to Year 9 students
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine – available for children from Reception to Year 13
Parents should check their child’s Red Book or speak to their GP to ensure they are up to date with all immunisations before starting school. Keeping up with vaccinations helps prevent illnesses, reducing the likelihood of children missing school and parents needing to take time off work.
Catch-Up Vaccinations
If a child has missed a scheduled school vaccination, parents can arrange a catch-up appointment by:
• Calling 020 8017 7925
• Emailing haringey@v-uk.co.uk
• Booking missed Polio and MMR vaccinations on the Vaccination UK website
