Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine - About the HPV vaccine

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name for a common group of viruses. Most people with HPV do not have symptoms and do not develop health problems. However, some types of HPV can cause genital warts or lead to certain types of cancer. This includes cancer of the cervix, mouth, throat, anus and genitals. Nearly all cervical cancer cases are caused by infection with HPV.

Studies from the UK show that the HPV vaccine has reduced cervical cancer rates by almost 90% in women vaccinated at age 12 to 13.

HPV is very common. Most boys and girls will come into contact with HPV at some point in their lives. 

Having the HPV vaccine when it is offered gives the best protection against HPV-related cancers and genital warts.

Learn more about human papillomavirus (HPV)

Eligibility for the vaccine

Who should have the HPV vaccine?

Eligible group	Where can I get the vaccine?
Boys and girls aged 12 to 13 (school year 8). Those in school years 9 to 11 who have not had the HPV vaccine.	At school (or other educational setting).
Boys and girls aged 12 to 13 years who are unable to have the vaccine at school. For example, because they are home educated.	Through your local immunisation team* or GP surgery.
People who missed their HPV vaccination at school can still get the vaccine up to their 25th birthday. This includes: boys who were in school year 8 on or after 1 September 2019, and girls who became eligible for the vaccine on or after 1 September 2008.	Through your local immunisation team* or GP surgery.
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) aged 45 years or under.	Through specialist sexual health services and HIV clinics.

*If you are not sure how to get the vaccine, speak to your GP or contact your local immunisation team. Contact details are available at Vaccine contacts.

What if a child is home educated or currently not attending school?

HPV vaccination is routinely offered in schools (or other educational settings). However, children and young people who are home educated or not currently attending school can still have the HPV vaccine. The vaccine may be offered at a community vaccination clinic or GP surgery. You can make an appointment with the practice nurse or contact your local immunisation team. Contact details are available at Vaccine contacts.

Which other vaccines may I be eligible for?

To find out about other vaccinations you may be eligible for, visit:

About the vaccine

Which vaccine will I be offered?

The name of the vaccine used in the UK is Gardasil 9 (external site). 

How is the vaccine given?

The HPV vaccination is normally given as an injection in the top of the arm.

How many doses are needed?

Children, young people and adults under 25 years of age usually only need one dose of the HPV vaccine. One dose provides excellent protection in young people and adults aged up to 25.

Young people under the age of 25 with a weakened immune system or HIV may need three doses. This is because their immune system may not respond as strongly to the vaccine.

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) aged 25 to 45 need two doses for the best protection.

The person giving the vaccine will confirm how many doses are needed.

What if I have worries about needles?

Some people have worries about needles. This can make having an injection feel overwhelming. Many people say they do not feel any pain at all, and it is over very quickly. If you are worried, there are things you can do to feel calmer.  

Talk about your worries  
Tell the person giving you the vaccine that you are nervous. They will support you and help you feel more comfortable.  
Relax  
Take some deep breaths in and out to help you feel calm and relax your body. Try imagining you are blowing bubbles when you breathe out slowly. Getting vaccinated only takes a few seconds. It will be over before you know it.   
Distract yourself  
Listen to music, watch a video, play with a fidget toy or digital game. Chat to someone nearby to take your attention away. Bring a favourite item with you.

Give yourself credit for overcoming your worries and protecting your future health by getting the HPV vaccine.

What if I miss my vaccination appointment?

If you miss your vaccination appointment or are not in school on the day of your vaccination, you can still get it. Do not delay. The sooner you get your vaccine, the better. Speak to your school nurse, local immunisation team or GP surgery to discuss how to get an appointment.

Contact details for your local immunisation team are available from Vaccine contacts.

What about giving consent?

Consent means giving permission for something to happen. You or your parents or guardians will fill in a paper or digital consent form to give your consent. The person giving the vaccine will always check they have the necessary consent first.

You will have time to consider information sent to you about the vaccine. It is a great idea to talk it through with your parents or guardians. Being open and honest can help you all come to a decision that feels right for you.

In some cases, young people under the age of 16 may be able to give consent themselves, if they can fully understand what is being offered.

The person giving the vaccination will be able to answer any questions.

If you are aged 16 or over, you can give permission for the vaccination yourself.

Safety and effectiveness

Is the vaccine safe?

Yes, the HPV vaccine is safe. It meets all safety standards. Once a vaccine is in use, its safety continues to be monitored. Millions of doses of the vaccine have been given worldwide.

The HPV vaccine does not contain any live virus or virus DNA. It cannot cause cancer or any HPV-related disease.

The vaccine does not treat existing HPV infections. Instead, it helps protect against illnesses caused by HPV in the future. These include some cancers and genital warts.

Are there any side effects from the vaccine?

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them. Most side effects are mild and may last a day or two. 

The most common side effects include:

headache, and
pain, swelling and redness where the injection was given.

Rarely, people can have a severe reaction soon after the vaccination. This can cause breathing difficulties and they may collapse. This is called an anaphylactic reaction, and it can also happen with other medicines and food. These reactions are extremely rare, affecting less than one in a million people. Staff who give vaccinations are trained to manage these reactions. 

People who have an anaphylactic reaction can be successfully treated. They usually recover within a few hours. 

To find out more about the vaccine, including its contents and possible side effects, go to Gardasil 9 (external site)

If you have any questions about side effects, you can ask the person giving you the vaccine. 

If the side effects last for more than a few days, you should talk to your healthcare professional. You can also contact NHS 111 Wales by calling 111. 

You should report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines online at Yellow Card (external site). You can also download the Yellow Card app, or call 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). 

How does the vaccine work?

Vaccines work by telling your immune system how to fight a disease. Your immune system responds to the vaccine and makes antibodies. Antibodies help your body to fight an illness when you catch it. Your immune system will remember how to make these antibodies if you come into contact with the disease.

If I am unwell on the day of the appointment, should I have the vaccine?

A cold or other minor illness is not a reason to delay your vaccine.

If you have a high temperature (fever) above 38.5C, wait until you are better to have the vaccine. However, you should try to have it as soon as possible. If you cannot attend your vaccination appointment, please cancel it and make a new one. If in doubt, discuss this with the person giving you your vaccination.

Can I still get HPV even if I have the vaccine?

Vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent illnesses caused by HPV. These include cervical cancer and genital warts. No vaccine is 100% effective. Even if you are vaccinated, it is still important to attend cervical screening appointments when you are invited. You should also seek medical advice if you are concerned. For more information about HPV visit:

Is there anyone who should not have the vaccine?

Very few people cannot have the HPV vaccination. You should not have the vaccine if you have had a serious (life-threatening) reaction to:   

a previous dose of the same vaccine, or  
any ingredient in the vaccine.

Tell the person giving you the vaccine if either of these apply to you.

Can I have the HPV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines?

Yes. The HPV vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines given as part of the routine programme. If you have missed any vaccines, you may be offered them at the same appointment. This will help to bring you up to date as soon as possible. The person giving you your vaccine will be able to discuss this with you.

More information

Information for the public

If you would like to learn more about HPV and the HPV vaccine, you can find more information below:

If you have any questions, you can contact your GP surgery or call NHS 111 Wales.

Information for schools

Transcript – What is the HPV vaccine?

Hey, I’m Cerys, a nurse, and I want to show you how we can work together to protect you against HPV. If you’re in year 8, so age 12-13 – this information is for you!

Firstly, what is HPV? It’s a group of viruses that can cause some types of cancer as well as warts and infection in the skin.

Most of the time your body will naturally produce antibodies to fight off infections and viruses, but to protect against HPV, the vaccine gives us a helping hand.

This clever solution [pause] teaches your body how to protect itself against HPV, it really is that simple, and one dose is all you’ll require in your lifetime.

So, I’m sure you’re wondering, does the HPV vaccine hurt? Well… you may feel a little pinch on the side of your upper arm but the feeling shouldn’t last very long. If you are worried at all, the Nurse will understand and can offer some reassurance.

As it’s something new for your body to get used to, sometimes the HPV vaccine can cause a sore head or an achey arm where you had the vaccine, but this usually goes away quickly.

So, what happens next? In year 8, a school nursing or immunisation team will come to your school to offer you this valuable vaccine. You’ll have time to take information home and discuss the vaccine with a parent or guardian. The nurse will only give you the vaccine if they have your and your parent or guardian’s consent. If you don’t go to school, ask your parent or guardian to make you an appointment with the practice nurse at your local GP surgery.

Why not share what you’ve learned about HPV with your parents or guardians by showing them this video or they can head to the Public Health Wales website.

Transcript – HPV Q&A

HPV is a shortened name for Human Papillomavirus, which is common but can cause some cancers.

It’s spread by skin to skin contact, but not many people have symptoms, so then it’s difficult to know that you have it.

It’s estimated that 8 out of 10 people will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. But having HPV doesn’t mean that you will definitely get cancer.

The vaccine used in the UK for HPV is Gardasil 9 and it contains individual proteins from nine different types of HPV, which protect you against the virus.

The HPV vaccine is given via injection in the upper arm. It’s an excellent protection against the virus and the cancer that it causes.

Cervical cancer is the main cancer linked to HPV, but it can also cause cancer in the vulva, vagina, anus, penis and some types of throat and mouth cancers.

Since it was introduced in 2008, the HPV vaccine has reduced the cervical cancer rate by 90% in women in their twenties.

The vaccine is expected to save hundreds of lives each year in the UK.

The side effects of the HPV vaccine are usually mild. The most common side effects are a headache, and pain in the upper arm at the injection site, and they usually go away very quickly.

As with all other vaccines, the HPV side effects are monitored and reviewed by the MHRA in the UK.

The HPV vaccine has been found to be effective and safe and is an excellent protection against HPV.

Page last reviewed: 17th June 2025