Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

reduce the risk and protect yourself from the virus and other cancers it can cause

Overview

HPV is a common virus that will effect 4/5 of us at some point in our lives. There are usually no symptoms, and is easily transmissible. HPV can cause different types of cancer – so it is important to get yourself vaccinated.

It is recommended for children aged 12 to 13 years old and people at higher risk from HPV

What is the HPV vaccine for?

The HPV vaccine reduces your chances of getting the human papillomavirus, a common virus spread through skin contact – usually when having sex.

Most HPV are harmless, but sometimes they increase the risk of a certain types of cancer – HPV is responsible for around 630,000 cancer diagnoses globally each year.

  •  cancer of the cervix – around 90% of cervical cancer diagnoses are caused by HPV.
  • anal cancer – around 90% of anal cancer diagnoses are caused by HPV.
  •  head and neck cancers – around 1 in 3 head and neck cancer diagnoses are caused by HPV.
  •  vaginal cancer – 4 out of 5 cases of vaginal cancer are caused by HPV.
  •  vulvar cancer – about half of all cases of vulvar cancer are caused by HPV.
  •  penile cancer – over half of the cancers affecting the skin of the penis are caused by HPV.

Who can have the vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is recommended for children aged 12-13 years old and people at higher risk from HPV.

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.


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.

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

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.

Warning advice: Getting vaccinated if you’re unwell

If you have a high temperature or feel too unwell to do your normal activities, wait until you’re feeling better before having the vaccine.

Where to get the vaccine?

There are a number of ways to get the vaccine, please click the appropriate tab below to find out:

If your child is aged 12 to 13 years old (year 8) you will be able to receive the vaccine at Secondary school or Community clinics (for those not in school).

Non-urgent advice: Important

It’s still important to attend cervical screening appointments if you’ve been vaccinated against HPV, as there’s still a small chance you could get cervical cancer.

More information and advice

If you need some advice you can speak to a nurse, or for further information, please visit the links below:

NHS HPV Vaccinations
NHS HPV
Ask About HPV