Under 20's » STI » HPV Vaccine

What is HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)?

HPV is a viral infection which can cause cervical cancer. There are over 100 types of HPV but only 13 of these are known to cause cervical cancer. HPV is very common and is caught through intimate sexual contact with another person who is already infected.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb. It is caused by HPV in 99% of cases and is the second most common cancer in women worldwide.

What is the HPV vaccine?

Cervarix is a vaccine that protects against the 2 types of HPV that cause most cases (over 70%) of cervical cancer. It therefore reduces your risk of developing cervical cancer by about 70%.

Who can get the vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is recommended for all girls aged 12 to 13 who will be contacted by their school or local NHS when the vaccine is due.

How is the vaccine given?

Three injections are given over a 6 month period in the upper arm. It is important to have all 3 doses to provide adequate protection.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss any of your doses then you can arrange to have another appointment which should be as soon as possible after your original one. It is important to have all 3 doses and it is never too late to catch up.

Are there any side effects to the vaccine?

The most common side effects are very mild and usually involve stinging and soreness in the arm, general muscular pain and headaches. These usually settle in a couple of days. Very rarely, an allergic reaction can occur soon after the vaccination which may cause a rash or itching. Even more rarely, people can have a severe reaction called anaphylaxis which can cause breathing difficulty and collapse. Fortunately, this is extremely rare and can be treated by the nurse or doctor giving the vaccine.

Should I still have the vaccine if I’ve already had sex?

Yes. You should still have the vaccine if you have already had sex and are in the relevant age group as it may still protect you..

Will I still need to have smear tests (cervical screening) when I’m older?

Yes. The vaccine does not protect you against all the types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer so it is very important that you have regular smears from age 20, whether you have the vaccine or not.

Will the vaccine protect me from other sexually transmitted infections?

No. The vaccine does not provide any protection against other sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia and it is therefore important to continue to protect yourself from these by using condoms.

Will the vaccine protect me from genital warts?

No. Genital warts are caused by different types of HPV which the vaccine does not protect you from.

Do genital warts increase your risk of cervical cancer?

No, this is unlikely. The types of HPV that cause genital warts are different to the types that cause cervical cancer.

How long will the vaccine protect me from HPV?

It is not yet known how long the vaccine will provide protection. Research is on-going and you will be informed if any further doses are needed at a later date.