HPV Vaccine
Are you a student living in Edinburgh? Having the HPV vaccination will give you protection against a sexually transmitted infection that causes certain cancers.
Read Newington pharmacy’s advice on HPV and how to get the HPV vaccine. Edinburgh’s premier vaccination centre is Newington Pharmacy.
Most competitive in Edinburgh
We are offering the HPV Vaccine course at excellent prices:
– Single dose = £165
– Full course of 3 doses = £495.00
What is HPV?
Human Papilloma Virus aka HPV is a group of very common viruses that affect the skin. There are over 100 HPV viruses and most do not cause any problems for people. Some types of HPV cause minor conditions such as verrucas which most of us have probably had when we were kids.
However, a few strains of HPV are considered “high risk” and pose a more serious health risk. These strains of HPV can cause skin lesions in the mouth and genitals which may lead to developing cancer.
HPV is associated with a number of cancers including:
— Cervical cancer
— Throat cancer
— Mouth cancer
— Penile cancer
Both men and women are at risk of HPV-related cancers.
What are the symptoms of HPV?
Ordinary skin warts are the most common symptom of HPV you’re likely to experience. However, most people with HPV won’t have any symptoms. The HPV types that cause warts and verrucas don’t cause cancer. You won’t know if you have a cancer-causing type of HPV.
How is HPV transmitted?
HPV is easily transmitted such as getting a verruca by walking barefoot at a swimming pool. There are around 40 types of HPV that affect the genital area. These types of HPV are spread through any type of sexual contact. You can catch HPV even if you haven’t had penetrative sex.
You may not be able to completely protect yourself against catching HPV. But you can lower your risk by:
— Using a condom during sex
— Having the HPV vaccine
What is the HPV Vaccine?
The HPV vaccine helps protect against the high-risk, cancer-causing strains of HPV.
In Scotland, the HPV vaccine used is called Gardasil and protects against the high-risk strains HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18. The HPV vaccine is administered in two or three doses, depending on your age.
At Newington Pharmacy, we use the HPV-9 (Gardisil-9) vaccine.
Why is getting the HPV vaccine important?
A high-risk HPV infection can cause cell abnormalities which may lead to cancer. The most common cancer caused by an HPV infection is cervical cancer.
In the UK, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35. Around 100 women in Scotland die from cervical cancer each year. 99.7% of cervical cancers are caused by an HPV infection so having the HPV vaccine is an effective method to protect yourself against cervical cancer.
Important for men’s health too and the HPV vaccine will reduce the risk for developing other HPV-related cancers such as cancer of the penis.
But just because you’ve had your HPV vaccination, doesn’t mean women can stop having the smear test. The HPV vaccine won’t protect against all cervical cancers: the vaccine is effective for around 80% of cervical cancers. So, it’s still important for women to have regular cervical screening.
How can I get the HPV Vaccine?
If you’re not eligible for the HPV vaccination on the NHS, you may be able to receive the vaccine privately. Newington Pharmacy offers the HPV vaccine Edinburgh.
The HPV vaccine is a course of two or three (depending on your age) injections given in the upper arm. The injections need to be at least six months apart and all doses must be given for the vaccination to be effective.
Your HPV Questions answered:
Is HPV an STD?
Yes, HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STI). Most sexually active people will have HPV at some point. People who have HPV probably won’t have any symptoms, however, so they don’t know they have it.
Will the HPV Vaccine protect against other STIs?
No, the HPV vaccination cannot protect against other STIs such as chlamydia. You will still need to use a condom to help protect against catching other STIs.
Can you get rid of HPV once you have it?
There is no treatment for HPV. However, most HPV infections are cleared from your body within two years. There are treatments for the conditions that HPV may cause, however.
Can I get the HPV vaccine on the NHS?
In Scotland, girls in Years 9 and above receive the HPV vaccine free of charge on the NHS. The vaccine is given in two doses. The vaccination programme is being extended to include boys as well as girls.
After the age of 15, three doses of the vaccine are required. You can receive the HPV vaccine on the NHS up until your 25th birthday.
How much does the HPV vaccine cost?
At Newington Pharmacy, we are able to offer the three-dose vaccination course for (£165 per dose).
Does the HPV Vaccine prevent verrucas?
No, the HPV vaccine does not prevent verrucas. Verrucas are caused by different types of HPV that the vaccine prevents against. Back to the salicylic acid treatments for you.
For the HPV Vaccine, Edinburgh Chooses Newington Pharmacy
Newington Pharmacy and Edinburgh Travel Clinic is an established pharmacy dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare. Our range of private and NHS services are provided in discrete consultation rooms by our highly-trained staff.