HPV vaccination (Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination)

What is the HPV vaccination?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common group of viruses spread by skin-to-skin contact, including during sex. Most infections clear on their own, but some types can cause cancers — including most cervical cancers, and some anal, genital, mouth and throat cancers — and other types cause genital warts.

The HPV vaccine helps the body build protection against the HPV types that cause most of these cancers and warts. The vaccine used in the UK is Gardasil 9. It works best when given before someone is exposed to HPV, which is why it is offered to young people, but it can still benefit some older people.

The vaccine is a cancer-prevention measure. It greatly reduces the risk of HPV-related disease, but it does not cover every HPV type and does not treat an infection or abnormality you already have. For this reason, people with a cervix should still attend cervical screening even if vaccinated.

It also does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections. Used alongside screening and safer sex, though, HPV vaccination is one of the most effective ways to lower the risk of cervical and other HPV-related cancers.

Types, options & approaches

There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.

Options at a glance

These are the main approaches described in this guide. The right option depends on the diagnosis, your goals and what your clinician thinks is safe.

Preparing for your treatment

• Check whether you are eligible for free NHS vaccination based on your age, sex and risk group.
• Bring a record of any HPV vaccine doses you have already had, so the schedule is correct.
• Tell the clinician if you are pregnant or might be, as vaccination is usually delayed until after pregnancy.
• Mention any serious allergies, especially to a previous dose or a vaccine ingredient such as yeast.
• Say if you have a weakened immune system, as this affects the number of doses.
• Let them know if you feel unwell with a high temperature on the day, as the dose may be postponed.
• Wear a top with sleeves that roll up easily, as the injection is into the upper arm.

What happens

A nurse or other trained clinician checks your eligibility, the doses you have had, and any reasons to delay. They explain the benefits and possible side effects and answer your questions.

The vaccine is given as an injection into the upper arm. It takes only a few minutes. You may be asked to wait a short time afterwards in case of an immediate reaction, which is rare.

If more than one dose is needed, you are told when the next is due. You can usually carry on with your day as normal. The clinician records the vaccination so your protection is documented.

Is this treatment right for me?

A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.

Before you decide

Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.

Serious reactions to the HPV vaccine are rare, and it has a strong safety record in many millions of people worldwide. The main limitations to understand are that it does not cover every HPV type, does not treat infection or abnormality you already have, and does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections. This is why cervical screening and safer sex remain important. Tell the clinician about any allergy to a previous dose.

Published figures to discuss

The HPV vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection with the HPV types it covers, and protection is greatest when given before exposure. Exact reductions in cancer depend on age at vaccination, the population and how long people are followed, so we describe the benefit in cautious terms rather than quoting a single figure. Serious adverse events are rare.

These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.

What happens afterwards

There is no recovery in the surgical sense. "Afterwards" means any short-lived side effects settling, completing further doses if needed, and continuing screening and safer sex.

• A sore or slightly swollen arm for a day or two
• A mild headache, tiredness or feeling a bit off
• Feeling briefly faint or dizzy around the injection
• No immediate noticeable change, as protection builds quietly over weeks

Aftercare

• Use a cool compress and simple painkillers if your arm is sore, if suitable for you.
• Sit or lie down if you feel faint, and don't drive until you feel steady.
• Attend any further doses on schedule to complete your protection.
• Continue cervical screening when invited if you have a cervix, even after vaccination.
• Use condoms for protection against other sexually transmitted infections.
• Keep a record of the doses you have had.
• Report any unexpected or severe reaction to the clinic.

• A record of any HPV doses already given
• Confirmation of your eligibility and how many doses you need
• The date of your next dose if more than one is needed
• A note to continue cervical screening if you have a cervix
• Simple painkillers at home in case of a sore arm
• The clinic's contact route for questions or reactions

⚠ Get urgent help if…

• Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or a widespread rash soon after the injection — call 999
• Feeling faint or fainting — sit or lie down straight away
• A high temperature that is persistent or makes you very unwell
• Severe or spreading redness, swelling or pain at the injection site after a day or two
• Any reaction you are worried about after leaving the clinic

Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your specialist gives you.

Results & realistic expectations

A good outcome is long-term protection against the HPV types that cause most cervical and other HPV-related cancers and most genital warts. The benefit is preventive and builds over the weeks after vaccination; there is no routine blood test needed to confirm it has worked.

Vaccination does not guarantee you will never develop an HPV-related cancer, because it does not cover every type and cannot treat an infection you already have. That is why people with a cervix should still attend cervical screening, which catches changes the vaccine cannot prevent.

Studies show HPV vaccine protection lasts for many years, and current evidence does not indicate a booster is needed for most people. Protection is greatest when the vaccine is given before exposure to HPV. Your clinician can advise if new guidance on boosters or additional doses emerges, particularly for people with a weakened immune system.

Related tests, treatments or support

HPV vaccination is often offered alongside a sexual health check, especially for men who have sex with men attending clinics. It complements, but does not replace, cervical screening. Other routine vaccines can usually be given at the same visit if needed.

Follow-up & long-term care

Follow-up is mainly to give any further doses on schedule. There is no routine test to confirm protection. People with a cervix should continue cervical screening when invited. Anyone with a weakened immune system should follow the specific schedule advised for them.

• Complete the full course of doses if more than one is needed.
• Continue cervical screening when invited if you have a cervix.
• Use condoms to reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted infections.
• Keep a record of your vaccination for future reference.

Repeat, follow-on and what comes next

• If a dose is missed, the course is usually completed rather than restarted.
• People with a weakened immune system may need additional doses.
• There is no routine test to confirm protection after vaccination.
• Current evidence does not support routine boosters for most people, but guidance may change.

Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.

What good aftercare looks like

• A clear record of doses given and when any further dose is due.
• Plain advice that cervical screening continues after vaccination.
• A named contact route for questions or to report a reaction.
• Honest discussion of likely benefit, especially for older or previously exposed people.

What affects the cost

Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:

• Whether you are eligible for free NHS vaccination
• The number of doses you need, which depends on age and health
• The consultation or appointment fee for private vaccination
• The cost of the vaccine itself per dose
• Whether more than one visit is needed
• The clinic facility fee

• Whether you are eligible for free NHS vaccination first
• The cost per dose and the total number of doses needed
• Whether the appointment fee is included in the dose price
• What happens if you need an extra dose because of your health
• Whether a record or certificate of vaccination is provided
• The cost of any further visit to complete the course

On the NHS? HPV vaccination is free on the NHS for eligible groups, including school-age children, catch-up for under-25s, men who have sex with men up to 45, and some higher-risk groups; others may choose to pay privately.

You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.

Consent traps and marketing red flags

These are not small details. They are often where patients lose choice, time to reflect, or realistic expectations.

Choosing a specialist safely

• Check the specialist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
• Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
• You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the specialist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
• Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
• You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.

How Vuemedics verifies every consultant →

Take this to your consultation. A good specialist will welcome every one of these.

• Am I eligible for free NHS vaccination, and how many doses do I need?
• Given my age and history, how much benefit am I likely to get?
• When is my next dose due if I need more than one?
• Should I still have cervical screening after being vaccinated?
• What side effects should I expect, and what would be a reason to seek help?
• Do I still need to protect against other sexually transmitted infections?
• Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
• Will you be the specialist who carries out my treatment, and who looks after me afterwards?
• What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
• What does a realistic result look like — and what can this treatment not achieve?
• What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
• Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
• What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?

Find a verified specialist for hpv vaccination

Every consultant is GMC-checked and independently reviewed. Search by postcode and distance, or switch to a map. Ordered by rating, relevance and recency — never by who pays.

How we made this page

Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →

Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.

Sources & standards: NHS — HPV vaccine NHS — HPV vaccine safety NHS — Human papillomavirus (HPV) Cancer Research UK — HPV and cancer NHS inform (Scotland) — HPV vaccine Public Health Wales — vaccines for children (ages 5-16) nidirect (Northern Ireland) — HPV vaccine for adolescents

Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.

Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.