Paul Bolton, Healthcare Clinical Services Manager at Dorset HealthCare, has written a blog aimed at young people encouraging them to get their HPV vaccine. Paul has works on the vaccine programme, including SAIS, perinatal vaccines and outreach and community vaccination services.

If you’re in Year 8 next year, of if you’re under 25, this message is for you. It’s about making good choices and knowing where to get information you can trust to help make them.

The choices you make now can shape your future. Some choices help you right away, while others protect ‘future you’. It might seem hard to think that far ahead, but it’s still important.

You probably already make choices about your health that will help you now and in the future. Looking after your mental health and being kind to yourself and others, taking care of your body and doing things that keep you safe, well and supported are all important. Getting vaccinated is another choice that can protect both you and the people around you.

About the HPV virus and vaccine

The HPV vaccine helps protect against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can cause certain types of cancer in men and women. HPV is really common – four in five people will get it at some point in their lives.

Three in four people would get the HPV vaccine if they knew it reduced the risk of cancer (Eve Appeal).

  • The HPV virus is linked to over 90% of cervical cancers in England, and it can be prevented with one dose of the HPV vaccination

  • Anyone can catch HPV, regardless of sex or gender

  • HPV can cause cancers of the genital area, head, and neck

  • HPV spreads mainly through close intimate contact, so safe sex alone does not stop it

  • The vaccine has been used around the world for many years and has been highly effective at reducing the risk of cancer in young people

  • In England, HPV infections and cervical cancer rates have dropped sharply, especially in people who were vaccinated when younger.

By getting vaccinated, you protect yourself and help stop the virus from spreading to others.

The World Health Organization has set a goal to end HPV‑related cancers by 2040, and increasing vaccination is a major part of this.

When you can get the HPV vaccine

  • Most people get the HPV vaccine in Year 8 (ages 12–13)

  • If you missed it, it’s not too late – you can still get vaccinated up to age 25

  • The school immunisation team visits schools each year, and your parents will receive a consent email

  • You can also get the vaccine from your GP or a sexual health clinic if you’re older than 13

  • If you’re 15 or older and you understand the risks and benefits, you can self‑consent.

Find out more

If you want to learn more about HPV and the vaccination, it’s important you get your information from a reliable, well-researched source, like the NHS or World Health Organization. These websites are a good place to look:

Getting the HPV vaccine is a choice you can make that will help stop HPV-related cancers and help you and those around you to have a healthy future.

If you would like to get the vaccine:

  • ask your parent or carer to book you in for an appointment, or

  • if you are over 15 and confident about your decision, you can book it yourself.

Visit the Stay Well Dorset website for more information on getting the HPV vaccination in Dorset.