NHS urges young people to get HPV vaccine
14 October 2025
NHS Kent and Medway is urging young people to come forward for their HPV vaccine to boost their protection against some types of cancer.
The HPV vaccine helps protect against human papillomavirus (HPV). It's offered to all children aged 12 to 13 (school year eight) through the school-aged immunisation service.
HPV increases the risk of developing some cancers later in life, such as cervical cancer, some mouth and throat cancers and some cancers of the anus and genital areas.
If you missed getting vaccinated when you were 12 or 13, the HPV vaccine is available for free on the NHS for:
- all girls under 25
- boys born after 1 September 2006.
Contact your GP practice if you or your child were eligible for the HPV vaccine but did not get vaccinated.
Find details about catch-up community vaccine clinics run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
For more information, visit the Get Vaccinated Now website