Routine Adolescent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine programme

Leaflets and guidance

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is offered to every Year 8 pupil. Evidence shows the HPV vaccine helps protect pupils from HPV-related cancers.

From April 2023, children and young adults in the Isle of Man who are eligible to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination will now receive one dose rather than the previous two-dose schedule.

This decision was taken by the Isle of Man Immunisation Committee which includes representation from the Isle of Man Public Health Directorate and was further approved by the DHSC. It follows a recent recommendation made by the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) based on the results of several independent research studies. Both organisations agree that children and young people who have received a single dose before 25 years of age are considered fully vaccinated.

About HPV

HPV is a common virus which usually produces no symptoms. This means that people may not even know they're carrying the virus.

In most people, HPV clears up quickly. But carrying HPV makes you more likely to develop certain types of cancer. It also means you can pass HPV on to others.

HPV is usually spread through intimate sexual contact. Condoms don't provide complete protection from HPV. For more information on the conditions linked to HPV visit NHS' HPV page.

Why you should get vaccinated

Getting the vaccine now protects you against future risks. The HPV virus can lead to cancers like:

head and neck cancers
cervical cancer
anogenital cancers - for example, anal, penile (penis) cancer, cancer of the vagina, and cancer of the vulva

The HPV vaccine also protects you against over 90% of genital wart infections.

The leaflets and guidance documents below provide more detailed information on the universal human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for girls and boys. We are currently updating our general information leaflet following the change to a 1-dose programme. This will be available in due course.

If you have any further queries, please contact the HPV Vaccination Team at HPVVaccinationEnquiries.DHSC@gov.im