Routine adult
HPV vaccine preventing infection with cancer-causing and wart-causing HPV types. National school programmes cover many adolescents; the pharmacy offers catch-up for eligible young people where authorised.
Who should get it
- Adolescents and young adults not fully vaccinated in the school programme
- People up to the nationally recommended upper age (often 26; some adults 27–45 after shared decision-making)
Who should wait
- Pregnancy — defer HPV vaccine until after delivery
- Moderate/severe acute illness
Contraindications
- Anaphylaxis to a previous HPV vaccine dose or yeast (where relevant)
Precautions
- Syncope is more common in adolescents — observe seated for 15 minutes
Common side effects
- Sore arm
- Headache
- Fever
- Dizziness
Rare risks
- Anaphylaxis
- Fainting-related injury if not observed
Indications
Primary prevention of HPV-related disease. Typically 2 doses if started before age 15; 3 doses if started later.
Regulatory note
Where a national school HPV programme exists, pharmacy catch-up is offered only if age-eligible and locally authorised. Parental consent required for minors.
