If you missed the HPV vaccine at school, or simply didn’t have the chance when you were younger, you might assume the window has closed. It hasn’t. Adults can still benefit meaningfully from Gardasil 9 vaccination, and at The Wright Practice we explain how the case for it changes with age, prior exposure and personal risk, so you can make an informed decision.
A few quick answers before we go into more detail.
Yes. Gardasil 9 protects against nine HPV strains, and it is very unlikely that any one person has already been exposed to every strain it covers, even after years of sexual activity. This means most adults still gain real protection from vaccination, whatever their age or history.
HPV itself is extremely common. Most sexually active people encounter at least one strain of the virus at some point, and the body usually clears it without any lasting effect. The vaccine’s value lies in protecting against the strains you haven’t yet met, particularly HPV-16 and HPV-18, which together are linked to around 70% of cervical cancers and the majority of HPV-related anal and throat cancers.
Gardasil 9 is often thought of purely as a cervical cancer vaccine, but its protection is broader than that. It targets nine HPV types responsible for a wide range of conditions.
This wider protection is one of the most common surprises for adult patients, who often assume the vaccine has no relevance for them if they are male, or past the age typically associated with cervical screening.
For more on how HPV relates to cervical health specifically, see our cervical health and screening page.
It’s a common mix-up, but vaccination and screening do two different jobs. The HPV vaccine prevents infection with the strains it covers, reducing the chance of ever developing HPV-related changes in the first place.
Cervical screening, by contrast, detects HPV or cell changes that are already present. Vaccination does not remove the need for screening, and anyone eligible for cervical screening should continue attending as invited, regardless of vaccination status, since Gardasil 9 does not protect against every cancer-causing HPV strain.
Our cervical health and screening service covers what screening involves and how often it’s recommended.
The number of doses you need depends on your age at your first appointment. Adults having their first dose at 15 or older, which covers the vast majority of adult patients, are usually advised to complete a course of two or three doses.
Your clinician will confirm the most appropriate schedule for you at your first appointment, balancing strength of protection against the number of visits required.
If your main concern is your personal exposure risk rather than the vaccine itself, our guide to understanding your risk of HPV may help you decide how urgently to book.
There’s no need to be tested for HPV or cervical changes before vaccination. Your clinician at The Wright Practice will talk through your individual history to confirm the right approach.
Gardasil 9 has an established safety record built on more than a decade of use across millions of doses worldwide.
No serious safety concerns have been identified with Gardasil 9 in adults, and your clinician will talk through your individual medical history before your first dose to check the vaccine is right for you.
The cost of HPV vaccination at The Wright Practice depends on the number of doses your schedule requires. This typically includes your initial consultation, the vaccine itself, and administration at each visit. Book a consultation for a tailored quote based on your age, history and recommended schedule.
“A lot of adults assume they’ve missed their chance with the HPV vaccine, and that simply isn’t true for most people,” says Dr Dan Wright. “The vaccine covers nine strains, and even with a full sexual history, it’s very unlikely anyone has been exposed to all of them. We take the time to talk through personal risk and prior exposure so each patient can make an informed decision, rather than assuming the vaccine no longer applies to them.”
This individually tailored approach runs across every consultation at our Harley Street clinic, including our wider vaccination and prevention services for sexual health.
For most adults, no. Gardasil 9 covers nine HPV strains, and it’s very unlikely you’ve already been exposed to all of them, even after years of sexual activity. Vaccination can still offer meaningful protection well into adulthood.
No testing is required before vaccination. There’s no reliable way to check which specific strains you may already have encountered, so The Wright Practice recommends proceeding with vaccination based on your history and risk rather than pre-testing.
Yes. HPV causes genital warts, anal cancer and some throat cancers in men, not only cervical cancer in women. Men who have sex with men face a particularly elevated risk of HPV-related anal and throat cancers, making vaccination especially relevant.
This depends on your age and health at your first dose. Most adults need either two doses around six months apart, or three doses over six months if starting later or if immunosuppressed. Your clinician will confirm the right schedule for you.
No. Gardasil 9 doesn’t protect against every HPV strain linked to cervical cancer, so screening remains important even after vaccination. The vaccine prevents infection; screening detects changes that may already be present.
Often, yes. A previous HPV-related diagnosis usually involves only one strain, and Gardasil 9 still protects against the other eight. Your clinician at The Wright Practice can talk through whether vaccination makes sense given your specific history.
Yes. Gardasil 9 is licensed for use up to age 45 and has a well-established safety profile in this age group. Your clinician will review your medical history at your consultation to confirm there’s no reason vaccination wouldn’t be appropriate for you.
There’s no need to restart your Gardasil 9 course if a dose is delayed. Your clinician at The Wright Practice can simply continue from where you left off, whatever the gap since your last dose.
NHS HPV vaccination is generally limited to those under 25, along with some specific eligible groups through sexual health clinics. Most adults outside these criteria access Gardasil 9 privately, which is available at The Wright Practice.
Yes, in most cases. Being sexually active doesn’t mean you’ve encountered every HPV strain the vaccine covers, so vaccination still offers real, additional protection against the strains you haven’t yet met.
Missing the school programme doesn’t mean the HPV vaccine no longer has anything to offer you. Book a consultation with The Wright Practice today to check your suitability and get started.
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