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The Human Papillomavirus Vaccination is offered to all young people in the school or in a community setting. It is offered in school year 8 (aged 12-13 years) in line with the national immunisation schedule.
On 1st September 2023 the schedule changed to a one dose offer. One dose has been proved to provide similar protection to that of the previous 2 dose schedule, and is effective in protection against persistent infection of HPV.
Information about the revised schedule can be accessed below:
Information about the vaccination in 33 different languages can be accessed below:
Gardasil 9 produced by AstraZeneca is used for the programme. Full product details can be accessed here
Information videos for parents about HPV and the vaccination can be viewed using the links at the bottom of this page.
The School Aged Immunisation Team will be attending all schools to deliver the HPV vaccination to Year 8 students from January 2023.
Please speak to your child about the vaccination then complete the consent to either accept or decline the vaccination as soon as possible.
All parents whose children attend school have now received an email with information about the vaccination and a consent link. This was sent via email by your child’s school on behalf of HCRG Care Group School Aged Immunisation Team.
You can complete the consent or decline the vaccination using the link below:
Consent form for B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire schools.
You can find a list of school codes below.
Electively Home Educated Unique Codes
If your child is not registered at, or attending a school for any reason they can be vaccinated at a local community clinic. Please complete a consent form and contact our immunisation Single Point of Access on 0300 247 0082 to make an appointment.
HPV is a large group of related viruses, each group is given a number and is called a ‘type’.
The viruses can infect the deepest layer of the skin of the upper respiratory and genital tracts through skin to skin contact.
There are over 40 types of HPV that affect the genital area, and the high risk types 16 and 18 can lead to cancer of the cervix, anus, genitals and oropharyngeal (head and neck) areas.
Lower risk types 6 and 11 can cause genital warts.
Nearly all sexually active people are infected with HPV at some point in their lives.
Infection usually occurs after sexual debut and almost 40% of women are infected within 2 years.
70% of new high risk infections with clear within a year.
90% of new infections clear within 2 years.
Vaccination has been shown to be highly effective and well tolerated. Infections of HPV types 16 and 18, the main cancer causing types, has reduced by 86% in 16-21 year old women in England
In 2018, 10 years after vaccination was introduced, no HPV 16 and/or 18 infections were detected in 16 -1 8 year olds, indicating the programme has succeeded in delivering both direct and indirect protection.
The rates of cervical cancer have reduced by 90% in women in their 20s compared to an unvaccinated population.
Genital wart diagnoses among 15-17 yr old girls has decreased by 85% and by 80% in heterosexual boys.
It is over 99% effective at preventing pre-cancerous lesions.
It is 99% effective at preventing genital warts.
Clinical trials indicate that it can prevent anal cell changes caused by persistent infection and genital warts.
HPV vaccination has been established through rigorous testing in clinical trials, followed by extensive use with more than 500 million doses given across the world.
No concerns about the safety of the vaccination have been raised, and no link between the vaccination and the development of a range of chronic illnesses has been supported.
This is supported by the independent health bodies and authorities worldwide:
The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations, Medicines Health Regulatory Agency, World Health Organisation Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety
European Medicines Agency
US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention
Health Canada
