The HPV vaccination programme, offered to girls since 2008 and boys from 2019, has markedly reduced HPV infections and rates of cervical cancer.
It also helps protect against genital warts and some cancers of the genital areas and anus, as well as some mouth and throat cancers.
However, with over a quarter of eligible pupils missing out on this vital life saving protection each year, the UK Health Security Agency is urging parents to give consent so their children don't miss out.
Consent forms have been provided by secondary schools, but parents and guardians can also provide consent by visiting the Vaccination UK website.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: "We’re urging parents of children eligible for the HPV vaccine to give their consent as soon as possible, as it helps protect against a virus causing mouth and throat cancer, and nearly all cases of cervical cancer.
"Hundreds of women die of cervical cancer in England each year but data suggests that 99.8% of cases of cervical cancer are preventable through HPV vaccination and cervical screening, so this vaccine is crucial in our drive to eliminate the disease."
Dr Sharif Ismail, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, added: "The HPV vaccine is one of the most successful in the world, given as just a single dose helping to prevent HPV related cancers from developing in both boys and girls.
"Some parents may still think that HPV is just for girls to protect against cervical cancer, but since 2019 the vaccine is also offered to all boys in Year 8 – protecting both boys and girls from several cancers caused by the HPV virus."
