The HPV vaccine is given as two injections into the upper arm over a six to 24 month period. Both doses are needed for the vaccine to work.
Girls who began HPV vaccination before September 2014 receive three injections.
Do I have to consent to the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is given to girls at secondary school aged 12 and 13 as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.
If your daughter is in year 8 at school, you will usually receive a letter about the vaccine and a consent form before she is due to have the vaccine. Although, as a parent, you're asked to sign a consent form, it is up to your daughter whether she has the vaccine or not.
Read more about parents' rights and the HPV vaccination.
The HPV vaccination: doses and timings
The HPV vaccine is given as an injection into the muscle of the upper arm.
The vaccination consists of two doses and both injections are needed to ensure your daughter is fully protected against the virus.
Girls given the HPV vaccine as part of the national vaccination programme receive a vaccine called Gardasil.
The schedule for Gardasil is as follows:
- the first dose is given, usually in October of year 8 at school
- the second dose is given no sooner than six months and no later than 24 months after the first dose
There is some variation within the schedule to give flexibility to school nurses administering the programme.
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