02/10/2025
🎓 HPV vaccine: facts for students (including international students)
What is HPV?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is common and often has no symptoms. Certain HPV types (including 16 & 18) are linked to cancers of the cervix, v***a, va**na and a**s; others cause most ge***al warts. Vaccines are preventive—they don’t treat existing HPV or other STIs. Routine cervical screening should still continue as recommended.
Who is it for?
People aged 9 years and over with valid consent. Decisions are made after a brief clinical review of your medical history.
Students who started HPV vaccination abroad can usually complete their course here; it’s recommended to finish with the same brand (Gardasil®9) where possible.
How many doses?
Ages 9–14: usually 2 doses—Dose 1 (now) and Dose 2 5–13 months later. If Dose 2 is given earlier than 5 months, a 3rd dose is needed.
Ages 15+: 3 doses—at 0, 1 and 4 months (all within 1 year).
(Each dose is 0.5 ml given into the upper arm.)
Safety and side effects
Most reactions are mild and short-lived (sore/red arm, headache, mild fever, tiredness). Fainting can occasionally occur around the time of injection; clinics have procedures to keep you safe. Serious allergic reactions are very rare and staff are trained and equipped to manage them.
Important to know
Pregnancy: vaccination is postponed until after pregnancy; it’s fine during breastfeeding.
Bleeding disorders/immunosuppression: tell the vaccinator—extra care or timing may be needed.
HPV vaccines don’t protect against all STIs; safer-sex practices still matter.
Why get it as a student?
Early protection matters, and university life brings new social networks. If you’ve had doses at home, you can continue the same schedule here so you don’t lose progress.
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Information is based on our current Patient Group Direction for HPV vaccine (Gardasil®9), valid to 18 Nov 2025. For personal advice, speak with a registered healthcare professional.
