Categories:
All secondary schools - teachers / school nurses

Year 8 Pupils - HPV Vaccination

HPV Vaccinations for Year 8 Pupils – January to March 2026

From 12 January 2026 through to the end of March 2026, Oxford Health School Aged Immunisation Team will be delivering HPV vaccinations to all Year 8 boys and girls across Oxfordshire.

Evidence shows that delivering immunisations in schools reduces health disparities by making access to vaccines easier for all. For example, parents don’t need to take time off work to book and attend immunisation appointments, and children who are not registered with a GP are included.

The offer of adolescent vaccines in school is also an important opportunity to check that children are up to date with all their routine immunisations and to ensure they are caught up and fully protected against preventable diseases. Over a quarter of eligible pupils are missing out on this vital lifesaving protection each year.

Some parents and carers may still think that HPV is just for girls, but since 2019 the vaccine has also been offered to all boys in Year 8, protecting both boys and girls from several cancers caused by the HPV virus.

How Can Schools Help?

  • Communicate with children, young people and parents or carers to support consent and uptake.
  • Use the HPV Inform website (hpvinform.com), developed by the University of Bristol, which includes resources for young people, parents and carers, professionals and communities, plus lesson plans for schools.
  • Encourage parents, carers or staff who may be concerned or require additional guidance to speak to the School Aged Immunisation Team, their GP or another healthcare professional.
  • Encourage parents and carers to return consent forms.
  • Send out a reminder to parents, carers and pupils a few days before the School Aged Immunisation Team are scheduled to visit.

Oxford Health School Aged Immunisation Team have also developed a range of resources for schools, which can be found on their website:
oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/imms/schools

They can also attend parent events at the school and school assemblies to provide additional information and presentations.

For more information, email:
immunisationteam@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

Thank you for your continued support in ensuring children across Oxfordshire are protected through immunisation.