Implementing a school-based HPV vaccination programme

The Department of Health launched a national human papillomavirus immunisation programme for girls aged 12-13 years in September 2008.

To assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a school-based programme.

HPV vaccination was offered over one academic year by two PCTs in 36 schools to 12-13-year-old girls, using different implementation plans.

At parent information evenings, the questions most often raised related to vaccine safety. In PCT 2, first-dose vaccine uptake was 78.7% (1,292), higher than the 59.8% (706) achieved in PCT 1. Using a late recall system and accepting late consenters in PCT 2 was associated with higher uptake, but led to one in five girls being outside the school schedule.

This study suggests uptake can be improved by achieving a high initial consent rate, accepting late consenters and adopting a flexible policy to maintain high coverage across all three doses.