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Labour has laid out plans to make human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines for youngsters who were not vaccinated at school available in community pharmacies in England.

In its Renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England, published last week, the Department of Health and Social Care said HPV vaccine coverage for female students in year eight fell from 88 per cent in 2018-2019 to 71.7 per cent in 2024-2025.

Labour has said it wants to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. The vaccinations protect against six other rarer cancers that are also linked to HPV.

The strategy also said there are plans to roll out home testing kits for HPV this year to people “who have never or rarely attended for cervical screening”.

The National Pharmacy Association chief executive Henry Gregg welcomed the Government’s plans but urged it to commission pharmacies “to take part in all national vaccination campaigns”.

The Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) last month called for pharmacies across the country to be commissioned to provide RSV vaccinations.

In February, the CCA urged Labour to make pharmacy-based measles, mumps and rubella vaccination “a routine part of the NHS programme”.

Gregg said: “We're pleased the government have listened to the NPA and have commissioned pharmacies to provide catch up HPV vaccinations to those who have missed them in school.

“The higher the uptake for HPV vaccinations, the greater protection there is against serious conditions such as cervical cancer.

“The government should follow the evidence and commission pharmacies to take part in all national vaccination campaigns, which will help to increase their uptake and tackle a growing and concerning wave of vaccine hesitancy.

“Pharmacies are highly accessible and convenient places to receive a vaccination, particularly in deprived communities where historically vaccination uptake has been lower.”

Independent Community Pharmacist has contacted the DHSC for more details about its programme to expand access to HPV vaccines in pharmacies.