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Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine - HPV vaccine information for health professionals

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a double stranded DNA virus that infects squamous epithelia including the skin and mucosae of the upper respiratory and anogenital tracts. HPV infection spreads by intimate skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. This may include sex and sexual activities.  

Most HPV infections are asymptomatic and self-limiting, but persistent infection can present as: 

  •  genital warts  
  • certain cancers in both men and women, including: 
    • Cervical cancer 
    • Anal cancer 
    • Penile cancer
    • Vulval cancer
    • Vaginal cancer
    • Head and neck cancer 

There are over 150 types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). These viruses are classified as either ‘high-risk’ or ‘low-risk’ types depending on their association with the risk of causing cancer. 

HPV vaccination has been shown to be highly effective in preventing.  HPV infection for the serotypes contained in the vaccine, with dramatic decreases in cervical cancer rates for those who have received the vaccine, and a reduction in genital warts.  

It is estimated that by 2058, after 50 years of this vaccination programme, 64,000 cervical cancers and 50,000 other cancers will have been prevented (UKHSA 2019) (external site).

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance   

The HPV vaccination programme in Wales started in 2008 and has been reviewed and expanded since then. The JCVI uses emerging evidence to inform its advice on expanding the vaccination programme. More information can be found on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation GOV.UK (external site) website. 

HPV vaccination programme 

Since 1 September 2023, the HPV vaccination programme in Wales recommends: 

A one-dose course of the HPV vaccine for: 

  • All males and females aged 12-13 years of age (school year 8))  
  • Males* and females in eligible cohorts up to 25 years of age who missed the HPV vaccine when offered or were unable to access the vaccine in school (e.g.due to being home educated)
    (* This applies to males born after 1 September 2006) 

Gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (GBMSM) up to 25 years of age attending Specialist Sexual Health Services and/or HIV clinics. 

A two-dose schedule of the HPV vaccine is recommended for: 

  • GBMSM who are aged 25-45 years of age attending Specialist Sexual Health Services and/or HIV clinics. 
  • For those aged 25 years and above, a two-dose schedule of 0, 6-24 months is recommended for all HPV vaccines. Any gap between doses of between 6 and 24 months is clinically acceptable. If the course is interrupted, it should be resumed but not repeated, even if more than 24 months have elapsed since the first dose. 

Individuals eligible for HPV vaccination who are immunosuppressed or HIV-positive should be offered 3 doses of the HPV vaccine. A vaccination schedule of 0, 1, 4-6 months is appropriate for the HPV vaccine for individuals who are HIV-positive or immunocompromised populations. All three doses should ideally be given within a 12-month period. If the course is interrupted, it should be resumed but not repeated, ideally allowing the appropriate interval between the remaining doses.  

Further details on scheduling and intervals is available from Human papillomavirus (HPV): the green book (external site).

The vaccine 

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

Gardasil 9 provides protection against nine high-risk HPV types (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58). HPV types: 16 and 18 are high risk HPV types that can lead to cancer; 6 and 11 are HPV types that cause approximately 90% of all anogenital warts in males and females. 

Guidance 

Vaccination programme recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and Welsh Government policy can be found at the links below. 

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (external site) – read JCVI publications and statements; search e.g. HPV. 

Welsh Health Circulars and Welsh Government letters 

The most recent Welsh policy on HPV can be found here: WHC: HPV immunisation programme update. Implementing the move to one dose of the HPV vaccine in Wales. (WHC/2023/016) (external site)  

Further details can be found in previous Welsh Health Circular policy documents, Health circulars (external site).

Training resources and events 

Other online courses and training materials about a number of vaccines and diseases can be accessed via the E-learning page. 

Further immunisation training information and resources are provided on the Training Resources and Events page. 

Clinical resources and information 

Template letters and resources  

 

Patient group directions (PGDs)  

PGD templates for vaccines can be found on the Welsh Medicines Advice Service (external site) page .   

More information 

  • Supporting better vaccine conversations (external site): This toolkit is designed to support professionals working in healthcare, public health, and education, in having confident, constructive conversations with parents and young people about HPV vaccination.  Please note this is an English only resource, and vaccination policy and guidance may differ in Wales.  
  • Cervical Screening Wales is responsible for the NHS cervical screening programme in Wales. 

Data and surveillance 

Page last reviewed: 11th November 2026