Teenage vaccines in the UK: HPV, 3-in-1 booster and MenACWY

The NHS vaccination schedule places three vaccines in the early teenage years. The HPV vaccine is given at 12 to 13 years (school year 8). The Td/IPV vaccine, also called the 3-in-1 teenage booster, and the MenACWY vaccine are given at 14 years, which usually means school year 9.

All three are routinely offered through secondary schools, with community clinics for those who are not in school. If your child missed a vaccine, or you did, the NHS says to contact the school nurse or school vaccination team, or your GP surgery if you have left school.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is described by the NHS as a common virus spread through skin contact, usually when having sex. Most types are harmless, but some are linked to an increased risk of cervical, mouth, anal, penile, vulval and vaginal cancer, and HPV can also cause genital warts.

All children aged 12 to 13 are offered the vaccine. If it was missed, it is available free on the NHS for all girls aged 24 and under, up until their 25th birthday, and for boys born after 1 September 2006, up until their 25th birthday. The NHS says people under 25 usually have 1 dose, people aged 25 to 45 usually have 2 doses, and people with a weakened immune system have 3 doses. The NHS also stresses that cervical screening is still important after vaccination.

The Td/IPV vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and polio and boosts the protection from the 6-in-1 vaccine and the 4-in-1 pre-school booster. The NHS says it is given at around 13 or 14 years old (school year 9) as part of the schedule.

Most people can have it, including during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The NHS says you cannot have it only if you have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose or to something in the vaccine, including neomycin, streptomycin or polymyxin, and that it may not be suitable if you have a rare condition called phenylketonuria. The vaccine contains killed versions of the illnesses, so there is no risk of getting the infections from it.

MenACWY protects against four types of bacteria linked to meningitis, which the NHS says can cause sepsis and septicaemia and lead to life-changing disabilities such as limb amputations, hearing loss and brain damage. It is most common in babies, children, teenagers and young adults. The NHS notes that the vaccine does not prevent all types of meningitis, so it is still important to know the symptoms.

Most people need 1 dose. If it was missed at school, it can be given up to the age of 25 by asking your GP. The NHS advises that anyone under 25 who has not had it should ideally have it at least 2 weeks before starting college or university, and as soon as possible if they have already started. It can be given at the same time as MMR and Td/IPV.

The NHS describes most side effects of these vaccines as mild and short-lived. Common ones include swelling or pain where the injection was given, headache, a high temperature, dizziness, feeling sick or tiredness. For MenACWY it also lists a rash, irritability, drowsiness, loss of appetite and generally feeling unwell. A serious allergic reaction is very rare, and the person vaccinating is trained to treat it immediately.

If your child has a high temperature or feels too unwell to do normal activities, the NHS advises waiting until they are better. For MenACWY, being unwell without a high temperature is not a reason to delay.

Missing a vaccine at school does not mean the chance has gone. The NHS says to speak to your school nurse, or your GP surgery if you have left school. For HPV, free vaccination continues to be available for eligible young people up to their 25th birthday. For MenACWY the limit is age 25. For the 3-in-1 booster, the NHS says anyone who missed it at 13 or 14 should check with their school nurse or GP.

People who need the 3-in-1 vaccine for travel may have to pay at a travel clinic, a pharmacy with travel health services or some GP surgeries. People who need it for their job should speak to their employer.

Routine teenage vaccines are free on the NHS. Private travel clinics and pharmacies offer vaccination for travel, but for these routine vaccines the NHS route through school or the GP surgery is the first option. Whichever route you use, ask for the vaccination to be recorded in the personal child health record or GP record so that the schedule stays complete.