JOIN THE FIGHT
AGAINST CERTAIN
HPV CANCERS
HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination is available on the NHS in schools for all children in year 8/S1 as part of the National Immunisation Programme (NIP)
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HPV cancers develop when the immune system can’t clear up infections caused by types of high-risk human papillomaviruses.
Those HPV infections may cause changes in cells that increase the risk of certain cancers and pre-cancerous lesions in the future, like cervical cancer and anal cancer.
Vaccination can help reduce the risk of your son or daughter developing certain HPV cancers in the future by protecting them against types of high-risk human papillomaviruses.
WHY JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST CERTAIN HPV CANCERS?
Although most HPV (human papillomavirus) infections go away on their own, some types of HPV may cause infections that increase the risk of certain cancers and pre-cancerous cell changes.
The HPV vaccination programme is available on the NHS in schools so that boys and girls can join the fight against types of HPV cancers, like anal cancer and cervical cancer.
HPV means human papillomavirus
It’s the name for a group of viruses that may cause diseases in adulthood, like certain cancers and pre-cancerous cell changes.
HPV is common and spreads easily
The viruses move from person to person through close skin-to-skin contact.
Many people don’t know they’re infected with HPV because infections don’t usually cause any symptoms and clear up on their own.
Some types of HPV are called high-risk because they increase the risk of cancers if an infection lasts a long time. HPV 16 and HPV 18 are examples high-risk viruses and cause most cases of anal cancer and cervical cancer.
75-80%
of ANAL CANCERS worldwide are caused by HPV types 16 and 18
OVER 70%
of CERVICAL CANCERS worldwide are caused by HPV types 16 and 18
2 YEARS
Most HPV infections don’t cause symptoms and clear up within two years
+20 YEARS
An infection caused by a high-risk human papillomavirus can take about 20 years or more to turn into types of HPV cancer
Your child can join the fight against certain HPV cancers by getting HPV vaccinated as part of the National Immunisation Programme (NIP).
HPV vaccination helps stop the spread of types of human papillomavirus, including high-risk types HPV 16 and HPV 18.
HOW TO JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST CERTAIN HPV CANCERS
Boys and girls aged 12 to 13 years (11 to 13 years in Scotland) are offered the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination during school year 8/S1.
Look out for an HPV vaccination programme consent form from your child’s school.
The form should be completed, signed and returned to the school.
The consent form covers the full course of HPV vaccination.
You can also speak to your child’s doctor, school nurse or practice nurse about the HPV vaccination programme.
It is important that your child receives all doses at the recommended age.
This will help make sure they get the cover they need to help reduce the risk of certain HPV cancers in the future.
You can also speak to your child’s doctor if their school is not offering the HPV vaccination programme.
The HPV vaccination programme helps protect both girls and boys from types of HPV infections that can increase their risk of certain HPV cancers in the future.
HPV vaccination helps prevent infections caused by the two high-risk human papillomavirus types that cause most cases of anal cancer and cervical cancer around the world.
Additional information on the NHS national immunisation programme may be found on the relevant UK Health Security Agency website.
Protect your child now to help reduce their risk of certain HPV cancers in the future. Watch the video below to learn more:
HPV vaccination also helps reduce the spread of types of human papillomavirus from one person to another during close skin-to-skin contact.
The long-term safety profile of HPV vaccines has been well studied in millions of people worldwide.
HPV vaccines are closely monitored to ensure they continue to be suitable for use.
