HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccine
The HPV vaccine helps protect against cancers caused by a group of viruses known as HPV.
The vaccine protects against:
- cervical cancer
- some mouth and throat (head and neck) cancers
- some cancers of the anal and genital areas
- genital warts.
Most people will get an HPV infection at some point in their lives and their bodies will get rid of it naturally without treatment, but some people will not be able to clear it. Over time, this can cause abnormal tissue growth as well as other changes, which can lead to cancer if not treated.
The HPV vaccine is offered at school and is given as 2 injections into the arm, 6 months apart. It is important to have both doses of the vaccine to be properly protected. Girls and boys aged 12 to 13 years are routinely offered the first dose in Year 8.
If you’re eligible and miss the HPV vaccine offered in Year 8 at school, it’s available for free on the NHS up until your 25th birthday for:
- girls born after 1 September 1991
- boys born after 1 September 2006
Article provided by NHS
See original information on the NHS website.