This information is relevant to teenage boys and girls from year 8 or S1
Protect your future from certain HPV‑related cancers
(HPV: human papillomavirus)
Your school is taking part in the free HPV NHS national vaccination programme, available to all children from year 8 or S1.
The power to help prevent HPV is in your hands.
What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, will infect most people at some point in their lives, making HPV the most common sexually transmitted infection, or STI, among males and females of all ages.
HPV is a common virus that can affect both boys and girls. It is passed via skin-to-skin contact and is often found on the fingers, hands, mouth and genitals.
HPV Is often symptomless, and the body will usually fight it off itself. However, this is not always the case.
While some HPV types are harmless, other types can cause damage to cells that may cause abnormal growth, which can lead to:
Cervical cancer
Genital warts
Anal cancer
There are more than
100
different types of HPV…
…and around
40
of these affect the genital area
Boys and girls, take up arms against HPV
Vaccination against HPV can help prevent infections, meaning you can defend yourself against damage to cells that can turn into certain cancers or genital warts.
Look out for more information from your school.
You do not have to be vaccinated against HPV if you do not want to, but it is a good idea to discuss any questions or concerns with:
The school immunisation team
Your parents/carers
Your GP or practice nurse
Why do I need to be vaccinated at this time?
Getting vaccinated means you could reduce your risk of genital warts or certain cancers caused by HPV.
Vaccination against HPV is most effective when given before any exposure to HPV viruses, so it is first offered to 12-13 year olds (school year 8/S1).
If you are aged 12-13, you can fight back against HPV as part of the NHS national vaccination programme.
HPV vaccination is given as a free injection in the upper arm. This injection will help to protect you against HPV infection and reduce your risk of genital warts and certain cancers in the future.
More than
80 million people
have received vaccination against HPV worldwide between 2006 and 2002.
What about side effects?
As with any vaccines and medicines, HPV vaccinations may cause side effects which affect people differently. Some people don’t have any side effects after HPV vaccination.
The most common side effects are:
Headaches
Redness, swelling or pain at the site of injection
Some people might get:
Bruising or itching at the site of the injection
A high temperature or feeling hot and shivery
Feeling sick (nausea)
Pain in the arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet or toes
Don’t forget about the consent form!
The free NHS HPV national vaccination programme is available to boys and girls aged from 12-13 in the UK.
Regardless of their vaccination decision, please remind your parents to sign and return the consent form to your school.
GB-HPV-00231 | Date of Preparation: December 2024
Reporting of side effects: If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
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Registered in England No. 233687 © 2024 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved.
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