HPV Vaccine

HPV Vaccine for cervical and head & neck cancers: Introducing Gardasil 9

HPV Vaccine (Human Papilloma Virus) is offered as a private service at our Central London Clinic and protects against cervical, head and neck cancer. We strongly believe that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination should be more widely accessible.

Fleet Street Clinic was the first practice in the UK to offer the HPV vaccine privately. We offer Gardasil 9 – the newest HPV vaccine, covering 9 of the most important HPV strains. Undertaken by a team of experienced GPs as part of our specialist vaccine clinic, we are on hand to answer any of your questions.

What is HPV?

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is a common virus passed on via genital contact. There are more than 100 HPV types and they infect genital areas. Sometimes they cause no harm and the infection can go away on its own. However, sometimes the virus persists and can cause cells to change – this can lead to:

Cancer of the cervix, vulva and vagina in women
Precancerous lesions in men and women
Genital warts in men and women
Head and neck cancers in men and women

HPV vaccines have a well-established role in preventing cervical cancers as well as these other conditions.

What do HPV vaccines do?

HPV vaccines are a vitally important medical advance and are the first vaccines to help protect against a major cause of cancer.

The newest HPV vaccine – Gardasil 9 – supercedes the original Gardasil vaccine (called Gardasil). We are currently in a transition period, with the original Gardasil vaccine still available for people who are only part-way through a vaccine course.)

Gardasil 9 protects against infection with HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58; an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine described this as “a milestone in expanding the coverage of cancers associated with the human papillomavirus.”

HPV vaccines will not protect against diseases that are not caused by HPV (i.e. other cancers and other sexually transmitted diseases). HPV vaccines may not protect against HPV types to which you have already been exposed.

Who should be vaccinated against HPV?

Vaccine protection is important for males and females. In theory, HPV vaccines are best given to young people before they become sexually active, i.e. before they can be exposed to HPV. Those already sexually active might also benefit as they may not yet have acquired all of the HPV strains covered by the vaccine – so may still get useful protection from the vaccine. Most people are not infected with many HPV strains.

Patients aged under 16 can only be vaccinated with their parents present.

For families and groups, we are sometimes able to arrange home visits for HPV vaccination – please contact us for further information.

Who should not receive the vaccine?

People allergic to vaccine ingredients
People who have has an allergic reaction to a previous dose of the HPV vaccine
Pregnant women
People taking certain medicines (please ask for advice at time of vaccination)

Possible side effects of the HPV vaccine

The vaccine is usually well tolerated. The most likely side effects include pain, itching, swelling at the injection site, fever, nausea, and dizziness.

How is the HPV Vaccine given?

You will require a total of 3 injections, at the following minimum intervals:

Initial dose
Second dose: 2 months later
Third dose: 4 months after the second dose

HPV Vaccine Cost

You can access a full list of vaccine prices here.

Families attending together pay a single appointment fee. You do not need to have a smear test prior to the vaccine.

Other important points

The length of vaccine protection is not yet known. To date, research shows that it protects for at least 5 years. It is possible that a booster may be needed at some point in the future, to maintain protection. Girls and women who have been vaccinated will still need regular cervical cancer screening – this is because the vaccine does not protect against ALL types of HPV.

Are there any other ways to prevent HPV?

The only sure way to prevent HPV is to abstain from sexual activity. Sexually active adults can reduce their risk by limiting their number of sex partners and using condoms. Even people with only one partner can get HPV if their partner has been exposed to a previous partner with HPV. This is why HPV Vaccine represents such an important medical advance.

Fleet Street Clinic – Specialist Vaccine Clinic

Fleet Street Clinic is a specialist vaccination clinic offering all vaccinations from travel jabs, to childhood immunisations to flu vaccinations programmes.

To Book

For further details and appointments, call Fleet Street Clinic on 0207 353 5678 , email us at info@fleetstreetclinic.com or book an appointment online.