Women and girls with cancer can still have the HPV vaccine, even if their immune system isn’t working as well due to the cancer or it’s treatment. But the vaccine may not give as much protection from HPV as it would normally. Because this is a new vaccine, doctors are still doing studies to find out how effective the vaccine is when a person’s immune system isn’t working very well.
From autumn 2008, the HPV vaccine will be offered to girls aged 12 to 13. Older girls aged 13-18 will also be offered the vaccine for the next three years (as part of a ‘catch-up’ programme).
You’ll need three doses of the vaccine over six months for the best protection against HPV. It’s really important to complete the course and have all three doses. Most girls will get it at school. But, if you’ve left school and you were born after 1 September 1990, you’ll get a letter to your house from your local NHS asking you to make arrangements for your immunisation. The letter may contain information about where and when your immunisation will take place, or may have a number that you can call to make arrangements for your immunisation. The vaccine is given as an injection into your upper arm. The second injection is given about 1 month after your first injection, and the third is given about 6 months after your first injection.
It’s important to remember that the HPV vaccine doesn’t protect against all cervical cancers (even in someone whose immune system is working well). Using a condom can help prevent the virus being spread and reduce your risk of cervical cancer. It’s also really important for all girls to have cervical smears (when a doctor or nurse takes a sample of cells from the cervix to test for any changes) later in life. You’ll still be encouraged to come for cervical smears even if you’ve had the HPV vaccine (from the age of 25 in England and Wales and the age of 20 in Scotland and Northern Ireland).
