Young people urged to catch-up on missed HPV vaccines

 

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:

HPV can also cause genital warts .

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 and under 25

Contact your school nurse, school vaccination team Tel: 020 3903 3360 or GP surgery if you or your child were eligible for the HPV vaccine but did not get vaccinated.

HPV More information

Published: Sep 2, 2025