A vaccination programme in Britain aimed at preventing cervical cancer has seen a significant decline in its effectiveness. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which was once hailed as a success story, is now floundering due to declining confidence, lack of convenience, and rising complacency.
In the UK, HPV causes around 3,500 cases of cervical cancer each year and 900 deaths. To combat this issue, a vaccination programme was introduced to inoculate against the virus. However, despite its introduction, the programme has not been able to prevent the disease effectively.
The decline in vaccination rates is attributed to various factors, including declining confidence in the vaccine’s effectiveness, lack of convenience in accessing vaccination services, and rising complacency among the population. As a result, many Britons are now neglecting their cervical cancer screening and vaccinations, putting themselves at risk of developing the disease.
This trend is particularly concerning given the significant impact that HPV has on British society, causing around 3,500 cases of cervical cancer each year and 900 deaths. It is essential that measures are taken to boost vaccination rates and increase awareness about the importance of cervical cancer prevention.
Source: https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/08/13/vaccinations-to-prevent-cervical-cancer-have-plummeted-in-britain