Richmond and Henrico Health District officials urge HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening during awareness month

In recognition of January as Cervical Health Awareness Month, the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts are encouraging residents to take steps that can prevent cervical cancer, a disease that is largely avoidable through vaccination and routine screening.

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is responsible for more than nine out of 10 cervical cancer cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But nearly all cervical cancers can be prevented with the HPV vaccine, which is recommended for children and young adults and required for Virginia students before entering seventh grade.

Parents and guardians are urged to ensure their children receive school-required HPV vaccinations before starting seventh grade. Immunizations can be obtained through primary care providers, local pharmacies, or in-school clinics. Children who receive both doses before age 13 receive the strongest protection, while those who begin the series at age 15 or older will need three doses.

“Making sure children get the HPV vaccine can help reduce their risk of developing cervical and other cancers,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry. “We encourage our community to protect their health and the health of their children through vaccination and regular screenings for cervical and other cancers.”

The vaccine’s impact is well documented. A recent systematic review published in the Cochrane Library found that HPV vaccination reduces cervical cancer incidence by about 80% when given at or before age 16, lowers rates of high-grade precancerous lesions and genital warts, and is not linked to long-term side effects or infertility. Additional research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported a 12% annual decline in cervical cancer incidence from 2012 to 2019 among U.S. women younger than 25, amounting to a 65% overall reduction, likely tied to HPV vaccination.

A large cohort study in Sweden also suggests that widespread vaccination can reduce precancerous lesions even among those who were never vaccinated.

HPV vaccination has been recommended for routine use in the United States since 2006. In Virginia, the vaccine is required for all students, regardless of sex, prior to seventh grade. It also is recommended for people up to age 26 who did not start or complete the series earlier, while vaccination for adults ages 27 to 45 is based on shared decision-making with a healthcare provider.

Local vaccination rates show progress but room for improvement. As of Jan. 13, 2026, data from the Virginia Department of Health indicate that 74.1% of 13-year-olds in Richmond and 73.3% in Henrico had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine, compared with 76% statewide. Completion rates among 18-year-olds were 47.4% in Richmond and 70.4% in Henrico, while the statewide rate stood at 62.7%.

Beyond vaccination, screening remains a critical tool in preventing cervical cancer deaths. Women ages 21 and older are advised to talk with their doctors about cervical cancer screening. Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approved a self-administered HPV test for women ages 30 to 65 at average risk. The test can be completed at home or in a medical setting, and insurance plans will be required to cover the full cost of self-collected HPV screenings by Jan. 1, 2027, with no out-of-pocket cost to patients.

HPV is linked to six types of cancer, including nearly all cervical cancers and about 70 percent of head and neck cancers. According to the National Cancer Institute’s State Cancer Profile, Virginia’s cervical cancer rates declined steadily from 2017 to 2021, with Richmond and Henrico posting rates slightly below the statewide average during that period.

For uninsured women, the state’s Every Woman’s Life program provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings to income-eligible Virginia residents ages 18 to 64. Early detection improves treatment options and survival rates, and women diagnosed through the program may qualify for Medicaid coverage for treatment. (Find an EWL provider here.)

Residents can find primary care providers in the Richmond and Henrico area at rhhd.gov/connect-pc and learn more about school-required immunizations at rhhd.gov/childhoodvax. For information about HPV vaccination schedules and clinical health resources, community members can call 804-205-3500 or visit rhhd.gov.