HPV Vaccine

HPV vaccine

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: cervical cancer, mouth cancer, anal cancer and penile cancer. HPV can also cause genital warts.

The HPV vaccine is recommended for children aged 12 to 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

You can find out more about the HPV vaccine here:

• HPV vaccine overview – NHS
• The HPV vaccine – Cancer Research UK
• HPV – Macmillan