A 2018 Scottish study showed that the vaccine has reduced pre-cancerous cervical disease in 20 year old females by up to 71%. In 2018, 10 years after the introduction of the programme, the prevalence of HPV types 16/18 in 16 to 18 year old women in England who were offered vaccination at age 12 to 13 years had reduced substantially to less than 2% (compared to over 15% prior to the vaccination programme in 2008). There is growing evidence of the success of the programme so far.
Main points about the changes to the programme Update on the UK programme
It also remains important for all women to attend their cervical screening appointment when they are invited as this can detect if you are at risk of cancer and save lives. We know that the HPV vaccine offers excellent protection against HPV infections and some cancers in men and women and we urge everyone who is eligible to get this potentially life-saving vaccine when it is offered. This has already been the case for several years for 12 and 13 year olds but now the evidence is clear that 2 doses offers very good protection in all age groups. It is great news that from today almost all those eligible for the HPV vaccine will need just 2 doses to be fully vaccinated. The committee also advised that the 3-dose schedule should continue to be offered to eligible individuals living with HIV or known to be immunocompromised at the time of vaccination.ĭr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: The 2 doses should be given at least 6 months apart. In May 2020 the JCVI, who regularly review all vaccination programmes, advised that the 2-dose schedule could be extended to adults as the evidence showed 2 doses offers good protection in older individuals. The routine adolescent HPV vaccination programme, offered to 12 to 13 year olds in school, has been following a 2-dose schedule since September 2014. There is also a HPV vaccination programme for gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men ( MSM) up to 45 years of age, who attend sexual health or HIV clinics.
Those who are eligible for the HPV vaccine can get it free on the NHS up until their 25th birthday. The vaccine helps to prevent HPV infection which can cause genital warts and HPV-associated cancers such as cervical cancer, some other cancers of the genital areas and anus and some cancers of the head and neck. People with HIV or known to be immunocompromised will continue to receive 3 doses.įrom Friday 1 April, gay and bisexual men and those aged 15 and over will only need to receive 2 doses of the human papillomavirus ( HPV) vaccine instead of 3 to be fully vaccinated, based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation ( JCVI). Gay and bisexual men and those aged 15 and over to receive 2 doses of the HPV vaccine.