Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very commonly transmitted infection from close skin to skin and intimate contact which usually causes no symptoms and goes away by itself. There are over 100 different strains of HPV and most of the time HPV does not cause any problems, but some types can cause genital warts or cancer.
The national HPV vaccination programme has been extended to boys in Year 8 from 1 September 2019, and we are delighted to be able to offer this to boys as well as girls in eligible year groups. The HPV vaccination programme usually involves two injections, given between six months and 2 years apart. It’s important to have both doses to be protected.
The teams also offer catch-ups clinics for young women, so if a dose has been missed or delayed, it can still be given. Any young woman under the age of 18 years or young men from the eligible school year groups can start the programme if they missed it at the appropriate age. If commenced after the age of 15 years or medical needs dictate, three doses of the vaccine are necessary.
Watch this short video to learn more.
Current and prospective 2021/22 academic year (HPV)
| HPV1 (Yr 8 Students) | Starting September 2021 |
| HPV2 (Yr 8 Students) | Starting April 2022 |
| HPV2 (for 2020/21 Yr 8 Students) | Starting September 2021 |
| HPV1 (for 2021/22 Yr 8 Students) | Starting April 2022 |
| HPV2 (for 2021/22 Yr 8 Students) | Starting September 2021 |
Please note due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic those patients who missed their vaccination last year, or had their sessions delayed until September 2021 are still eligible to be vaccinated and will still be seen in either school sessions or invited to attend community catch-up clinics.
Almost 90% of parents choose to accept the HPV vaccination for their child. Most women aged between 15 and 24 years have been vaccinated. Studies have shown that vaccination at an earlier age is more effective, so the best time to vaccinate boys and girls is between 12 and 14 years.
The human papilloma virus is very common and more than 70% of unvaccinated people will get it. Although there are many different types of HPV, vaccination offers protection against the two types that cause over 70% of cervical cancer and two types that cause 90% of genital warts.
Further information about these vaccinations can be found on the main NHS.uk webpage here.
