About HPV vaccination

Do I still need to have regular screening even if I’m vaccinated?

• Yes, definitely. Regular screening, in combination with a healthy lifestyle and vaccination, is likely to be the most effective way to help reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer.^5-7 Since vaccination does not protect against all HPV types which cause cervical cancer, just against the most common cancer-causing types, attending your regular smear test is very important.¹⁶

I have had an abnormal smear test result in the past – so is there any point in being vaccinated?

• Vaccination will help protect you from future HPV infections but it can’t clear up any infections that you already have.¹⁵

Are there girls who should not have HPV vaccination for medical reasons?

• There are few people who cannot have HPV vaccination. If you’re not sure, you should talk to your doctor or nurse before making your decision.

Why do I need three injections? What will happen if I don’t have my 2nd or 3rd dose?

• It is very common for vaccination courses to require more than one dose in order to be most effective. You need all three doses for the vaccine to be most effective and help protect you against the virus that can lead to 70% of cervical cancers.³¹

Who should have HPV vaccination?

• All girls and women who are sexually active may be at risk of catching HPV that can cause cervical cancer. Speak to your doctor or nurse about whether the vaccine is suitable for you.
  Vaccination against HPV is offered through the NHS for girls from 12 up to the age of 18 i.e. all girls born on or after 1st September 1990, even if you’ve left school.¹⁴
  Women who are over 18 years old can speak to their GP, nurse or high street pharmacist about local availability of vaccination.

If I have already had sex in the past, is there any point in being vaccinated?

• Yes, as you can catch HPV through sexual activity. Vaccination works in girls and women who are sexually active and will help protect you from future HPV infections. However, it won’t clear up any HPV infections that you may already have.¹⁵

If I have HPV vaccination, will it stop me getting cervical cancer?

• Vaccination can prevent seven out of ten cervical cancers from developing,¹⁶ so you will be at less risk of developing cervical cancer if you have the vaccination. However, vaccination does not protect against all types of infection or against any HPV infection you may already have.^15,16 Therefore, it is important to attend your regular cervical smear test when invited.⁶

Is it OK to be vaccinated if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

• For advice about vaccination and pregnancy / breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional.

I don’t have lots of sexual partners so why should I have HPV vaccination?

• You may be at risk of catching the virus that can go on to cause cervical cancer if you are sexually active. It only takes one infected person to pass the virus on to you. This means you can catch it from just one sexual experience.³

Should I let my daughter have HPV vaccination?

• Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by a common virus called HPV² that can be caught as soon as girls and women start having intimate relationships - either through sexual intercourse or from intimate skin-to-skin contact in the genital area. It is possible to catch it from just one sexual experience so it makes sense to take steps to reduce your daughter’s risk before that time comes.³ Your daughter can reduce her risk by leading a healthy lifestyle, going for regular cervical smear tests when invited by her GP surgery (at age 25 in England, 20 in the rest of the UK)^5,6,22. and getting HPV vaccination through the NHS if she is aged 12-18, even if she has left school^{7, 14}. These are the best ways of reducing her risk of developing cervical cancer. If your daughter is over 18 years old, she can speak to her GP, nurse or high street pharmacist about local availability of vaccination.

I am just starting the menopause – do I need HPV vaccination?

• Your doctor or nurse is the best person to advise you whether you should consider getting vaccinated.

Where can I find out more information about cervical cancer, cervical screening and HPV vaccination?

• For more information click here