UKHSA said it’s simple to “catch up” and shared an easy way to check your eligibility.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) has issued an alert to anyone under 25 as they may have “missed out” on a particular vaccine. They added that it’s simple to “catch up” and shared an easy way to check your eligibility.
Taking to X, the government body said: “Getting vaccinated against #HPV gives long-lasting protection against developing HPV-related cancers. If you missed your jab, check the NHS website to see if you’re eligible for a catch-up.”
In an image also shared on X, they wrote: “It is highly effective at protecting against cervical cancer and genital warts, and should also prevent a range of other cancers. If you missed out on your HPV jab you can catch up until your 25th birthday.”
According to the NHS, The HPV vaccine helps protect against 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:
- cervical cancer
- mouth cancer
- anal cancer
- penile cancer
- vulval cancer
- vaginal cancer
HPV can also cause genital warts.
Who can have the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is recommended for children aged 12 to 13 years old and people at higher risk from HPV. 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 and boys born after September 1, 2006.
You can contact your school nurse, school vaccination team or GP surgery if you or your child were eligible for the HPV vaccine but did not get vaccinated.
The NHS website adds: “Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men are at higher risk from HPV. If you’re a man aged 45 or under who has sex with men and you attend a sexual health or HIV clinic, you can get vaccinated against HPV. You’re eligible for the vaccine up until your 46th birthday.”
Most people who are eligible for the HPV vaccine can have it. The NHS says you only cannot have the vaccine if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine, or an ingredient in the vaccine.
There’s no evidence the vaccine is harmful if you’re pregnant, but sometimes you may be advised to wait until you’re no longer pregnant before having the vaccine. You can have the HPV vaccine while breastfeeding.
How the HPV vaccine is given
The HPV vaccine is given as an injection into your arm. The number of doses you need depends on your age and how well your immune system works:
- people under 25 usually have 1 dose
- people aged 25 to 45 usually have 2 doses (given between 6 months and 2 years apart)
- people with a weakened immune system have 3 doses (given over a 12-month period)
