HPV Vaccination 2023/24

You have been sent to this consent website as your child is due to receive their HPV vaccination.

This vaccine is now given as one dose and, since September 2019, is now offered to boys as well as girls.

The vaccination is free and recommended for young people to protect them against the human papilloma virus, which 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.

Read more about the HPV vaccination.

Paper copies of this leaflet are available to order for free or download in the following languages:

English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Chinese, Chinese (traditional, Cantonese), Estonian, Farsi, Fijian, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Nepali, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu, Yiddish and Yoruba.

If you have any questions read our FAQs below.

Please complete this consent form even if you decide you do not want to vaccinate your child this year. Completion of a consent form is not mandatory; however, in line with good record-keeping guidance, we would like to keep a record of declined consents so that you will not contacted again during this particular immunisation programme.


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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of our most frequently asked questions.

  • General
  • HPV
  • Technical
  • Can I take my child to the GP for their vaccination?

    Generally all school aged vaccinations are provided by the school immunisation team. The GP’s can vaccinate in certain circumstances, but usually only if the child has missed their vaccinations after the school year it was due.

    Occasionally, the team may request that vaccinations are given by the GP if it is thought to be more suitable.

  • What happens if I have missed the 'consent cut off date' but still want my child to be vaccinated?

    Whenever possible the team will provide a second vaccination opportunity, either in school or a community clinic. Please contact the team directly for further information.

  • What if I change my mind about my child having their vaccination after I have submitted consent?

    It is important that you contact the Immunisation Team immediately and speak to a member of staff. We also advise that you contact the school if the vaccination session is planned within the next 72 hours .

  • What if my child does not attend school?

    The team will be happy to see your child in one of our community clinics. Please contact the team to discuss your requirements.

  • What if my child has a medical condition?

    There are very few children that cannot receive their vaccinations.

    However, if your child has a medical condition, it is possible that we will ask you or your child’s GP or consultant for further information to ensure it is safe for them to receive the vaccination at the current time.

  • What if my child is unwell following their vaccination?

    All vaccines can cause side effects but studies suggest they are generally mild and soon settle. Some people may experience:

    Nasal Flu vaccine side effects:

    • Headache
    • Runny nose

    Injectable vaccine side effects:

    • Swelling
    • Redness
    • Tenderness
    • Development of a small lump at the injection site
    • Feeling or being sick
    • Headaches
    • Tiredness.

    If you are worried about your child you can telephone 111 for non-urgent medical advice or contact your GP practice. In an emergency please telephone 999. Further advice can be found at the NHS website.

    Call 111 for non-urgent medical advice and 999 in an emergency.

    Our team reports any post-vaccination side effects that we are aware of, so please contact the Immunisation Team if you feel that we need to report any reactions experienced by your child.

  • What if my child is unwell on the day of the vaccination?

    Vaccinations can safely be given as long as the child is not systemically unwell.

    If your child is not well enough to attend school, then our team will make arrangements to see them next time we visit. Generally if they are well enough to be in school, they are usually well enough to be vaccinated.

    However, if your child is recovering from a chronic illness or recent infection, the nurse may decide to defer the vaccination until they are fully recovered. This is to ensure that any subsequent changes in their health are not wrongly attributed to the vaccination.

  • Where can I find out more information about vaccinations?

    You can find further information on the NHS choices website.

    Alternatively, you can speak to your GP, practice nurse or a member of the immunisation team.

  • Why do you need previous vaccination dates?

    We only ask for this information if it is needed to ensure the correct intervals between vaccinations. Please note that we do not have access to your child’s GP records, so we may not be aware of their previous vaccination date unless you advise us.

  • I missed my vaccination, can I still have it?

    Yes. If you missed either of your vaccinations at school, you can have them up to your 25th birthday. Contact your school nurse or GP practice as soon as possible.

  • The NHS website states that my child requires two doses of HPV vaccine. Why is my child only receiving one?

    The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has been considering the mounting evidence about protection from a single dose of HPV vaccine since 2018 and has been considering the issue of a potential change in the vaccine schedule to one dose of the HPV vaccine during this time.

    A number of countries now offer one HPV vaccination and this will come into effect immediately for the current Year 8 and eligible cohorts of young people who may have missed vaccination. As this is a recent change to the programme, information leaflets will reflect the changes in due course.

  • What difference has the HPV vaccine made so far?

    Over 280 million people have received the vaccine worldwide. In time it is expected that the vaccine will save thousands of lives every year in the UK. A recent Scottish study has already shown a 71% reduction in pre-cancerous cervical disease in young women.

    Since the start of the vaccination programme in the UK there has been a big decline in the number of young people with genital warts.

  • What if I have not had my first HPV vaccine by the age of 15?

    Please contact your Local Immunisation team for further information. You can have the vaccine at school if you are in the eligible cohort.

  • Do I get a copy of my consent form?

    Once you have submitted the consent you will receive an email to let you know we have received it. Please check your spam/junk folder if you don't receive it.

  • How do I raise a technical support request?

    Please email us on support@riviam.zendesk.com. Please don't put any personal details in as this email is not for clinical issues.

  • What if I require the information in a different format?

    Please contact the immunisation team who will be able to assist.

Get to know Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare

HRCH provides community health services for around 523,000 people registered with GPs in the London boroughs of Hounslow and Richmond, but also serves a wider population across south west London for a range of more specialist services.

Every day our professionals provide high-quality healthcare in people’s homes and convenient local clinics.

We help people to stay well in the community, manage their own health with the right support and avoid stays in hospital.

We employ around 1,189 people, who work across a wide range of health centres, hospitals, GP surgeries, children’s centres, local council facilities and in community settings – including in people’s homes.

For more information about these services please go to our website: https://www.hrch.nhs.uk/

Get in touch for more answers

If you still have questions about our service or immunisations, please get in touch with us using the information below

Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust

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