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The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that cause most HPV-related cancers and genital warts. It works best when given before someone has any contact with HPV, but it can still be worthwhile for people who are already sexually active, as they are unlikely to have met every type it covers.

Who is eligible

In the UK the HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) is available on the NHS for:

  • Children aged 12 to 13. All children in school Year 8 are offered one dose. Parents receive a consent form from the school, on paper or online. Children who are home-educated are contacted directly by the local school-age immunisation service.
  • Anyone who missed it at school, until their 25th birthday. This includes girls, and boys born after 1 September 2006. Most people under 25 need one dose.
  • Men who have sex with men, up to their 46th birthday, through sexual health and HIV clinics. People aged 25 to 45 usually need two doses.
  • Some other people at higher risk, such as some trans people, sex workers and people living with HIV, through sexual health clinics.
  • Anyone else up to age 45 can pay for the vaccine privately at some pharmacies and clinics.
  • People with a weakened immune system need three doses.

Who shouldn't have it

  • Anyone who has had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose or to an ingredient of the vaccine.
  • If you have a high temperature or feel too unwell for normal activities, wait until you feel better.
  • If you're pregnant, you may be advised to wait until after your pregnancy. There's no evidence the vaccine is harmful in pregnancy, and it's safe while breastfeeding.

Which types of HPV it protects against

The UK uses a vaccine called Gardasil 9. It protects against nine types of HPV:

  • Seven high-risk types (16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58), which together cause around 9 in 10 cervical cancers (Joura et al., 2015)
  • Two low-risk types (6 and 11), which cause most genital warts

Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known, so the vaccine doesn't protect against all of them. This is why vaccinated people still need cervical screening, and why research into new ways to prevent and treat HPV-related cancers is still important.

How well it works and how safe it is

The HPV vaccine is one of the most effective cancer prevention tools available.

  • In England, cervical cancer rates were 87% lower in women offered the vaccine at age 12 to 13, and serious pre-cancerous changes (CIN3) were 97% lower (Falcaro et al., 2021).
  • In Scotland, no cases of invasive cervical cancer have been found in women vaccinated at age 12 to 13 (Palmer et al., 2024).
  • Among young women in England, infection with HPV16 and HPV18 fell from 14% to under 2% after the programme began (Mesher et al., 2018).
  • A single dose is highly effective. In a large trial it prevented around 97.5% of persistent HPV16/18 infections (Barnabas et al., 2022).

Millions of doses have been given in the UK and its safety is closely monitored. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived, such as a sore or swollen arm, headache, a high temperature, feeling dizzy or sick, and tiredness. Serious allergic reactions are very rare, and vaccinators are trained to treat them straight away.

Barriers to vaccination and what can help

About 1 in 4 young people in England leave school without HPV protection. In 2024 to 2025, 75.5% of girls and 70.5% of boys had been vaccinated by Year 10, down from around 90% before the pandemic. These are common reasons, and what can help.

Missing the school sessionThrough illness, absence, home education or moving school. Contact your school nurse, school vaccination team or GP surgery to catch up.
Consent form not returnedParents can contact the school vaccination team to ask for a new form or to arrange a catch-up appointment.
Worries about safetyHPV vaccines have been used worldwide for almost 20 years. Speak to a school nurse, GP or pharmacist, and read the NHS vaccine safety information.
Feeling it isn't needed yetThe vaccine works best before any contact with HPV, which is why it's given at 12 to 13. It doesn't encourage earlier sexual activity.
Not knowing about the catch-upIf you're under 25 and missed it, it's still free. Ask your GP. Some areas also run walk-in catch-up clinics.
Fear of needlesTell the nurse beforehand. They can help you feel more comfortable, and it's a single quick injection for most young people.
Not knowing you're eligible as an adultMen who have sex with men and other higher-risk groups can ask at any sexual health or HIV clinic.

"I've had the HPV vaccine, so I don't need cervical screening."

The vaccine protects against the highest-risk types of HPV, but not all of them. Everyone with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should still go for screening.

"My child isn't sexually active, so they don't need the vaccine yet."

That's exactly why it's given at 12 to 13. The vaccine works best before any contact with HPV, and it doesn't encourage earlier sexual activity.

NHS information