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Preventive medicine · UK

HPV vaccination for adults, Gardasil 9 in a regulated clinic.

The nine-valent HPV vaccine, delivered by a GMC, NMC or GPhC-regulated clinician on a proper vaccination service. Two-dose or three-dose schedules, MSM and immunocompromised pathways, and honest advice about post-exposure benefit.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What private Gardasil 9 costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

A full private course in London: £320 to £680, over 6 months.

Service Indicative range
Initial consultation with vaccination clinician £45 to £120
Gardasil 9 per dose £150 to £220
Two-dose course (age 15 to 25, immunocompetent) £320 to £450
Three-dose course (age over 25 or immunocompromised) £470 to £680
Nurse-led follow-up dose only £155 to £230
Second-opinion review before starting £90 to £180

Prices vary by provider, by nurse or GP delivery, and by whether the consultation is bundled.

When it helps

The eight adult indications we see most.

The NHS single-dose schedule now covers 12 to 13 year olds, with catch-up to age 25. These are the private indications for adults beyond that.

  • Missed the NHS schedule entirely

    An unvaccinated adult over 25. NHS catch-up runs to age 25. Private Gardasil 9 is the standard route after that.

  • Men who have sex with men, up to age 45

    The NHS offers the vaccine via GUM clinics for MSM aged 15 to 45. Private is an option if GUM access is inconvenient or slow.

  • Immunocompromised: HIV, transplant, biologics

    HIV, solid organ transplant, or long-term biologics or high-dose steroids. A three-dose schedule at 0, 2 and 6 months, regardless of age.

  • After CIN2 or 3, or oropharyngeal cancer

    Emerging evidence that Gardasil 9 after treatment for high-grade cervical or head-and-neck HPV disease reduces recurrence. Discuss with your specialist.

  • A new relationship or partner-safety concern

    Most sexually active adults have not been exposed to all nine strains. The vaccine still protects against the strains you have not yet encountered.

  • Travel and occupational exposure

    Healthcare workers, sex workers and long-term travellers who want maximum HPV protection before higher-risk exposure.

  • Transgender and non-binary individuals

    Not always well covered by NHS pathways designed around cervical screening. A private route removes that friction.

  • Not curative: existing lesions still need treatment

    The vaccine does not clear an existing HPV infection or wart. If you have current CIN, warts or dysplasia, treat those first and vaccinate alongside.

Vaccine and schedule options

One vaccine, two schedules, several nuances.

Gardasil 9 is the standard adult HPV vaccine in the UK private sector. Schedule and licensing details depend on age, immune status and indication.

  • Gardasil 9 (nine-valent)

    Covers HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. Prevents over 90% of HPV-related cancers (cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, penile, vulval, vaginal) and genital warts.

  • Two-dose schedule (age 15 to 25)

    For immunocompetent adults up to their 26th birthday: two doses six months apart. Same immune response as three doses at this age.

  • Three-dose schedule (age over 25)

    For adults over 25, and for immunocompromised at any age: doses at month 0, 2 and 6. A minimum interval of 4 weeks between doses 1 and 2.

  • Off-label prescribing over 45

    EMA licence extends to age 45. Some UK private clinicians will prescribe off-label up to age 60 for MSM, immunocompromised or post-treatment patients, with informed consent.

  • Vaccination in pregnancy

    Postponed until after delivery. Safe while breastfeeding. If a course is interrupted by pregnancy, remaining doses are given after birth without restarting.

  • HPV testing beforehand: not required

    You do not need HPV testing before vaccination. The vaccine is safe and useful regardless of current HPV status, though it will not treat an existing infection.

  • Cervical screening still needed

    Vaccinated people still need routine cervical screening. The vaccine reduces risk; it does not eliminate it, particularly if you were vaccinated after exposure.

  • Second-opinion review

    A specialist review of your sexual health, immune and screening history before you commit to a course. Sometimes the right answer is watchful waiting, not vaccination.

Safety and side effects

What to expect afterwards, honestly.

Gardasil 9 has one of the strongest post-licensure safety records of any modern vaccine. A sore arm and a mild fever are common. Serious reactions are rare.

  • Common: sore arm, low-grade fever

    Injection-site redness, swelling and tenderness for 24 to 48 hours. A mild fever or headache in the first day. Paracetamol usually enough.

  • Uncommon: syncope

    A brief faint after the injection, particularly in younger adults. This is why you sit for 15 minutes afterwards, not because the vaccine itself is unsafe.

  • Rare: anaphylaxis

    Below 1 in a million doses.

  • Not linked to autoimmune disease

    Large post-licensure studies over 15 years have not shown a causal link with multiple sclerosis, POTS, CRPS or primary ovarian insufficiency.

  • Safe while breastfeeding

    The vaccine can be given while breastfeeding. It is postponed in pregnancy purely as a precaution, not because harm has been demonstrated.

  • Not a live vaccine

    Gardasil 9 is a recombinant virus-like-particle vaccine. It contains no live or attenuated virus, and cannot cause HPV infection.

  • Interrupted courses do not restart

    If life gets in the way and you miss a dose by weeks or months, the course is simply completed, not restarted from scratch.

  • Cervical screening still applies

    Vaccination does not replace cervical screening. Continue with NHS or private smears on the normal schedule for your age.

  • Red flags after the injection

    Difficulty breathing, tongue or throat swelling, widespread rash, or a faint that does not settle within a few minutes: call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

Your vaccination record

Your record in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever London provider you use, the record you take home keeps to the same shape.

  1. 01 Header

    Vaccine, batch and dose number

    Which vaccine (Gardasil 9), the batch number, expiry, dose number in the course, and the injection site (usually the non-dominant deltoid).

  2. 02 History

    Immune status and prior exposure

    Immune status, prior HPV vaccination, cervical cytology or colposcopy history, and the indication category (missed NHS, MSM, immunocompromised, post-treatment).

  3. 03 Consent

    On-label or off-label discussion

    Whether the dose is on-label, or off-label (typically over 45) with informed consent recorded. Discussion of post-exposure benefit and its limits.

  4. 04 Plan

    Next dose date and completion path

    Read this first: the date of your next dose, the completion date of the course, and where the certificate will be sent for your GP records.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Cover for adult HPV vaccination varies by insurer and by indication. Post-treatment and immunocompromised indications are more often funded.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about adult HPV vaccination.

Quick answers on schedules, cost, post-exposure benefit, and whether you still need screening.

  • Is Gardasil 9 worth it if I am already sexually active?

    For most adults, yes. Gardasil 9 covers nine HPV strains and it is unusual to have been exposed to all of them. The vaccine still protects against the strains you have not yet encountered, and post-treatment evidence suggests it may reduce recurrence after CIN or oropharyngeal HPV disease. It will not clear an existing infection.

  • What does private HPV vaccination cost in the UK?

    Roughly £150 to £220 per dose of Gardasil 9, plus a consultation fee of £45 to £120. A full two-dose course (ages 15 to 25) is £320 to £450, and a three-dose course (over 25 or immunocompromised) is £470 to £680. Prices vary by London provider.

  • Two doses or three doses: which do I need?

    If you are aged 15 to 25 with a normal immune system, two doses six months apart give the same protection as three. If you are over 25, or immunocompromised at any age (HIV, transplant, biologics), you need three doses at month 0, 2 and 6.

  • Can I have Gardasil 9 if I am over 45?

    The EMA licence runs to age 45. Some UK private clinicians will prescribe off-label up to age 60 in specific circumstances, particularly for MSM, immunocompromised adults or after treatment for HPV-related disease. Informed consent about the off-label indication is recorded before you start.

  • Do I need an HPV test before vaccination?

    No. The vaccine is safe and beneficial regardless of your current HPV status. Testing beforehand is not required and does not change the recommendation, because the vaccine still protects against the strains you have not yet encountered.

  • Do I still need cervical screening after vaccination?

    Yes. Vaccination reduces risk but does not eliminate it, particularly if you were vaccinated as an adult after some exposure. Continue with NHS or private cervical screening on the normal schedule for your age.

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