In a strong pledge of global public health initiatives, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Immunisation Week campaign, “Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible,” highlights the vital impact of vaccines in saving lives.
WHO recommends that at least 95% of children should be immunised against vaccine-preventable diseases targeted for elimination or control, including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib, measles, mumps, and rubella.
In support of this campaign, Salford City Council Health Protection team are working with a group of young people from across the city to take part in an exciting creative health competition to design a poster promoting the HPV vaccination in schools.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name of a very common group of viruses. Teenage boys and girl are offered the HPV vaccination at high school, in year 8. The HPV vaccine plays an important role in preventing cervical cancer, as almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV.
The competition aims to improve health literacy among secondary school pupils in Year 8. By involving students, we can empower them to become champions for the HPV vaccine and own the importance of protecting their health and the health of others.
Cllr John Merry, Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Adult Services, Health, and Wellbeing, said:
“I’m genuinely excited to see creative approaches to health, like the HPV poster competition. I encourage all children to get involved and hope more Salford high schools join our HPV School’s Education Programme.
We have already seen excellent outcomes with flu vaccination for children aged 2 to 3 in Swinton, Pendlebury, Walkden and Little Hulton Primary Care Networks (PCN). In addition, the Salford University GP service organised vaccination catch-up clinics for students and staff, ensuring our university community remains well-protected.
The more Salford’s public health colleagues, service providers, and key stakeholders work together to boost the immunisation rates, the greater the opportunity to reduce health inequalities and protect the whole community.”
Councillor Arnold Saunders, Vice Chair of the Community and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Panel, also shared:
“While immunisation rates in Salford have declined since 2013, it’s encouraging to note that vaccination rates in children aged five have increased for the first time in over a decade.
Offers of local health events and clinics in Broughton community settings, including evening and weekend sessions have increased, and means more people can now access services at the right time and right place.
Broughton is a diverse community so programmes that educate residents and service providers about vaccinations and other health priorities are vital to encouraging higher vaccine uptake and better community health for all.”
The HPV health poster design competition is free to enter and open to all young people aged 11 to 16 who live in Salford or attend a Salford school.
For information on how to enter, the prizes, and terms and conditions, visit https://www.salford.gov.uk/hpvposterdesign
Submissions open on April 25 and close on 16 June, 2025.
