HPV vaccination in the UK: a guide

Esteemed consultant in sexual and reproductive health Dr Emily Lord explains the current HPV vaccination programme in the UK, including how it impacts on each individual.

HPV vaccination

There are currently three different HPV vaccine products available globally, however since July 2022 only Gardasil®9 is available for use in the UK immunisation programme.

Currently, three distinct HPV vaccine products are accessible worldwide. However, starting from July 2022, only Gardasil®9 is approved for use in the UK immunisation programme.

• Cervarix® contains VLPs for two HPV types (16 and 18 – bivalent vaccine),
• Gardasil® contains VLPs for four HPV types (6, 11, 16 and 18 – quadrivalent vaccine) and
• Gardasil®9 contains VLPs for nine HPV types (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 – nine valent vaccine).

Vaccination programme in the UK

In *gay/bi-sexual men who have sex with men

**The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)

Impact of the vaccination programme

Genital warts

Research indicates a significant decline in the incidence of genital warts in recent years. In 2021, there was an 85% reduction in genital warts diagnoses among young women aged 15 to 17, a demographic primarily offered the quadrivalent HPV vaccine when they were 12-13 years old. There was also an 80% reduction in diagnoses in heterosexual males within the same age group experienced, indicating considerable herd protection (UKHSA, 2022).

Cervical cancers

Research from Scotland has demonstrated an 89% reduction in prevalent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 3 or worse amongst those women born in 1995/6 – the first cohort to receive vaccine in the initial bivalent vaccination programme for adolescents, (Palmer et al., 2019).

Recommended NHS vaccine schedule

1. Adolescent programme (male/female): One-dose schedule
2. GBMSM <25 years: One-dose schedule
3. GBMSM aged 25 – 45 years: Two dose schedule
4. Immunosuppressed and those known to be HIV positive: three-dose schedule

Despite the clear benefits, participation in cervical screening programmes varies. Individuals may not attend for their routine smear due to fear, embarrassment, or misconceptions. The UK smear programme is critical for women's healthcare, aiming to detect and prevent cervical cancer through regular screening. Understanding HPV types and the importance of smear tests empowers individuals to prioritise their health.

Resources and references

Green Book Chapter 18a Human papillomavirus (HPV) (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Okunade KS. Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020 Jul;40(5):602-608. doi: 10.1080/01443615.2019.1634030. Epub 2019 Sep 10. Erratum in: J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020 May;40(4):590. PMID: 31500479; PMCID: PMC7062568.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) (2022). Sexually transmitted infections and screening for chlamydia in England: 2021 report. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/sexually-transmittedinfections-stis-annual-data-tables/sexually-transmitted-infections-and-screening-for-chlamydia-in-england2021-report

Kavanagh K, Pollock KG, Cuschieri K, Palmer T, Cameron RL, Watt C, et al. Changes in the prevalence of human papillomavirus following a national bivalent human papillomavirus vaccination programme lancet infectious diseases 2017 17(12) 1293-302

If you would like to book a consultation with Dr Lord, do not hesitate to visit her Top Doctors profile today.