Salford City Council’s health protection team has launched a new campaign encouraging Year 8 pupils to get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and understand its importance for long-term health.
The campaign, titled Anyone can get HPV. Everyone can prevent it, was co-designed with Year 8 pupils from across Salford, Community Youth Groups and IntraHealth, the organisation delivering the vaccine in local schools.
Pupils took part in a design competition to develop the campaign materials, with the winning poster now forming the centrepiece of the initiative. The design draws inspiration from anime’s vibrant character illustration style, showing a slice-of-life scene that highlights how HPV can affect anyone and how vaccination helps protect health. Organisers said the creative approach makes the message clear and engaging for young people.
The campaign’s key messages state that anyone can get HPV and everyone can prevent it. It emphasises that the HPV vaccine helps protect young people’s futures and encourages pupils to get vaccinated. Young people and families are advised to search “NHS HPV vaccine” or scan the QR code provided in campaign materials to learn more.
The HPV vaccine protects against human papillomavirus and is recommended for children aged 12–13, as well as people at higher risk.
According to NHS information, nearly all cervical cancers are caused by certain high-risk types of HPV. The virus is very common and most people will contract it at some point in their lives. While many infections clear naturally, persistent high-risk types can lead to serious health issues later, including throat, mouth and cervical cancer.
The vaccine is offered as a safe and effective way to reduce these risks.
Salford currently has one of the lowest HPV vaccination rates in Greater Manchester. Between 2024 and 2025, uptake stood at 53% for girls and 49.3% for boys. This is below the 90% level needed to protect the wider community and the national ambition for high coverage.
Across England, UK Health Security Agency data for the 2024–2025 school year shows uptake in Year 8 at 71.7% for girls and 67.0% for boys. By Year 10, this rises to 75.5% for girls and 70.5% for boys. Despite modest year-on-year improvements, around one in four young people still leave school without full protection.
The initiative supports NHS England’s ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through increased vaccination and screening. The aim aligns with the World Health Organization’s global strategy to reduce cervical cancer incidence to below four cases per 100,000 women.
Cllr John Merry, deputy city mayor and lead member for adult services, health, and well-being, said: “Every young person in Salford deserves the chance to grow up healthy and well. HPV vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect them from cervical cancer and other cancers later in life. We launched this pilot because uptake among our Year 8 pupils is still too low and below the 90% needed to protect the wider community. This work also supports NHS England’s ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, which I fully support. We are committed to raising awareness and improving access so families can make confident, informed decisions.”
A free education and campaign toolkit is available for schools, health partners and community organisations. It includes posters, digital screens and social media content suitable for websites, noticeboards, changing rooms and local events.