An injection that protects against human papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV vaccine
A vaccine given to protect against HPV-related cancers and genital warts; it prevents rather than treats.
What is HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine protects against human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can cause several cancers — including cervical cancer — and genital warts. It is a preventive vaccine, not a treatment for an existing infection or cancer. In the UK it is offered routinely to young people, ideally before they are likely to be exposed to the virus, and is given as an injection. Side effects are usually mild, such as soreness where the injection is given; fainting around the time of the injection can happen, especially in teenagers, so people are asked to sit for a short while. For timing and doses, follow the UK immunisation schedule.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to HPV vaccine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
The HPV vaccine is an injection that protects against human papillomavirus, a very common virus spread mainly through skin and sexual contact. Some types of HPV can cause cancers — most well known is cervical cancer, but also some other genital, anal and head-and-neck cancers — and other types cause genital warts. The vaccine is preventive: it is given to stop people catching the HPV types that cause these problems, not to treat an infection or cancer that is already there. In the UK it is offered routinely to young people, ideally before they become sexually active, and is given by healthcare or school immunisation staff.
How it works
The HPV vaccine contains harmless particles that look like the outer shell of the virus but contain none of its genetic material, so they cannot cause infection. The immune system recognises these as foreign and learns to make antibodies against the HPV types in the vaccine. If the vaccinated person later meets one of those HPV types, their immune system can respond quickly and stop the infection taking hold. Because the cancers HPV can cause take many years to develop, preventing the infection in the first place — ideally before exposure — is what makes the vaccine so protective over a lifetime.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Various manufacturers.
A vaccine used in the UK to protect against human papillomavirus (HPV), offered routinely to young people.
Practical use
How to take HPV vaccine
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given by a healthcare or school immunisation professional as an injection, usually into the upper arm.
- Stay seated for a short while after the injection, as fainting can happen, especially in teenagers.
- Complete the course of doses recommended for your age, following the UK immunisation schedule and your team's advice.
- Tell the team about any allergies or past reactions to vaccines beforehand.
- If eligible, still attend cervical screening, as the vaccine does not protect against every HPV type.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of HPV vaccine
Advantages
- Protects against HPV types that cause several cancers, including cervical cancer, and genital warts.
- Offered routinely to young people and works best when given before exposure to the virus.
- Side effects are usually mild and short-lived, and serious reactions are very rare.
Disadvantages
- It prevents HPV-related disease but does not treat an existing infection, warts or cancer.
- Fainting can happen around the time of the injection, especially in teenagers.
- Does not protect against every HPV type, so cervical screening is still needed for those eligible.
Practical use
Good to know
The most important point is that the HPV vaccine prevents HPV infection and the cancers and warts it can lead to, rather than treating anything already present, which is why it works best when given before someone is likely to be exposed to the virus. It is given as an injection, with the number of doses depending on age, so the simplest guide is to follow the UK immunisation schedule and your team's advice. A practical safety point is that fainting can happen around the time of any injection, particularly in teenagers, so people are usually asked to stay seated for a short while afterwards. Other side effects are usually mild and short-lived, most commonly soreness, redness or swelling where the injection is given, and sometimes a mild fever or headache. Serious allergic reactions are very rare, and the vaccine is given where staff can manage them. The vaccine does not protect against every HPV type, so cervical screening is still important for those eligible.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose or to an ingredient should not have it.
- If you are unwell with a high temperature, the vaccination is usually postponed until you are better.
- It is given under medical advice in pregnancy, following the UK immunisation schedule.
Monitoring
- A short wait, seated, after the injection in case of fainting or any immediate reaction.
- Making sure the recommended course of doses is completed for the best protection.
- Continuing cervical screening when eligible, as the vaccine does not cover every HPV type.
Side effects
- Soreness, redness or swelling where the injection is given.
- A mild fever, headache, tiredness or aching that settles quickly.
- Fainting around the time of the injection, especially in teenagers.
- Very rarely, a serious allergic reaction, which staff are trained to treat.
Key interactions
- It can usually be given alongside other vaccines, as guided by your healthcare team.
- Tell the team if you take medicines that affect the immune system, as your response may differ.
- Mention all your medicines and health conditions so the right approach is taken.
Available as: A liquid given as an injection, usually into the upper arm.
Answers
HPV vaccine: frequently asked questions
What is the HPV vaccine for?
It protects against human papillomavirus, which can cause several cancers, including cervical cancer, and genital warts. It prevents rather than treats these problems.
Why is it given to young people?
It works best when given before someone is likely to be exposed to HPV, so in the UK it is offered routinely to young people.
Why might someone faint after it?
Fainting can happen around the time of any injection, especially in teenagers, which is why people are asked to stay seated for a short while afterwards.
Do I still need cervical screening?
Yes. The vaccine does not protect against every HPV type, so cervical screening is still important for those who are eligible.
How many doses are needed?
The number of doses depends on your age; follow the UK immunisation schedule and your healthcare team's advice for the right course.
The wider class
About Vaccine (prevents HPV-related cancers and warts)
HPV vaccine belongs to the vaccine (prevents hpv-related cancers and warts) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
Browse by body system
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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