HPV Vaccine

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

What is HPV?
- HPV is a common virus often with no noticeable symptoms.
- Most people clear the virus naturally.
- However, HPV can increase your risk of certain cancers and can be transmitted to others.
- HPV spreads primarily through intimate sexual contact, including skin-to-skin contact in the genital area.
- Condoms do not offer complete protection against HPV.
HPV-Related Cancers:
- HPV can lead to:
  - Head and neck cancers
  - Cervical cancer
  - Anogenital cancers (e.g., anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar)
HPV Vaccine Benefits:
- The HPV vaccine protects against most HPV-related cancers and over 90% of genital wart infections.

HPV Vaccination for Adolescents

Routine Vaccination:
- All S1 pupils in Scotland are offered the HPV vaccine as part of the school-based immunisation program.
- The vaccine is administered by the NHS Lothian Community Vaccination Team.
- Your school will inform you about vaccination sessions.
Missed Vaccinations:
- If you missed your vaccination at school, opportunities for catch-up vaccinations will be available.
- You may be offered a rescheduled appointment.
- For more information, visit the Missed Childhood Immunisations page.
Eligibility After Leaving School:
- If you were eligible for the HPV vaccine but didn’t receive it, you may still be able to get it until the age of 25.
- This applies to:
  - Currently eligible individuals
  - Boys eligible from the 2019/2020 academic year
  - Girls under 25 eligible under previous programmes introduced in 2008
HPV Vaccination Schedule Change:
- From September 2023, the routine HPV vaccination schedule for adolescents in Scotland was reduced to a single dose.
- Individuals under 25 who started a two- or three-dose schedule before January 2023 are considered fully vaccinated.

HPV Vaccination for Men Who Have Sex with Men