HPV vaccinations
The HPV vaccine helps protect against human papillomavirus (HPV). It's recommended for children aged 12 to 13 years old and people at higher risk from HPV.
HPV vaccination
HPV vaccinations
The HPV vaccine helps protect against human papillomavirus (HPV). It's recommended for children aged 12 to 13 years old and people at higher risk from HPV.
Everyone eligible aged between 16 years and 25 years are being invited into the surgery to catch up on their missed HPV vaccine from when they were in school.
The HPV vaccination is given to boys and girls in year 8 at school, but some people may have missed it at the time. If you were offered the vaccine in school and missed it, you can catch up anytime until your 25th birthday.
The HPV vaccine helps protects against a common infection called HPV, that in some cases can lead to some types of cancer, such as cervical, head and neck.
Speak to your GP surgery to check you have had your vaccine, and if you missed it, you can book your appointment to catch up.
For more information on HPV and the HPV vaccine see the NHS website
What is the HPV vaccine for?
The HPV vaccine reduces your chances of getting human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that's spread through skin contact (usually when having sex).
Most types of HPV are harmless. But some types are linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, including:
HPV can also cause genital warts.
Who should have the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is recommended for children aged 12 to 13 years old and people at higher risk from HPV.
Children aged 12 to 13
All children aged 12 to 13 (school year 8) are offered the HPV vaccine.
If you missed getting vaccinated when you were 12 or 13, the HPV vaccine is available for free on the NHS for:
- all girls under 25
- boys born after 1 September 2006
Contact your school nurse, school vaccination team or GP surgery if you or your child were eligible for the HPV vaccine but did not get vaccinated.
Men aged 45 and under who have sex with other men
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men are at higher risk from HPV.
If you're a man aged 45 or under who has sex with men and you attend a sexual health or HIV clinic, you can get vaccinated against HPV.
You're eligible for the vaccine up until your 46th birthday.
Other people at higher risk from HPV
The HPV vaccine is also sometimes recommended for other people at higher risk from HPV, such as:
- any transgender people who are felt to have the same risk as men who have sex with men
- sex workers
- people with HIV
Who cannot have the HPV vaccine?
Most people who are eligible for the HPV vaccine can have it.
You only cannot have the vaccine if you've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine, or an ingredient in the vaccine.
There's no evidence the vaccine is harmful if you're pregnant, but sometimes you may be advised to wait until you're no longer pregnant before having the vaccine.
You can have the HPV vaccine while breastfeeding.
How to get the HPV vaccine
There are different ways to get the HPV vaccine.
| Who should have it | Where to get it |
| Children aged 12 to 13 (school year 8) | Secondary school (or community clinics for those not in school) |
| Girls under 25 and boys born after 1 September 2006 who missed having the vaccine in school | Check with your school nurse, school vaccination team or GP surgery |
| Men aged 45 and under who have sex with men, and other people at higher risk of HPV | Sexual health clinics or HIV clinics |
Further information
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the HPV vaccine given?
The HPV vaccine is given as an injection into your arm.
The number of doses you need depends on your age and how well your immune system works:
- people under 25 usually have 1 dose
- people aged 25 to 45 usually have 2 doses (given between 6 months and 2 years apart)
- people with a weakened immune system have 3 doses (given over a 12-month period)
What are the side effects of the HPV vaccine?
The most common side effects of the HPV vaccine are mild and do not last long.
They can include:
- swelling or pain where the injection was given
- a headache
- a high temperature
- dizziness
- feeling sick
- tiredness
More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction are very rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.