£85 per dose - 2 doses required, minimum 28 days apart
The HPV vaccine is designed to protect against high risk HPV, responsible for some anogenital cancers and head and neck cancers.
Disease and transmission – Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV) are found on the skin, in the upper airways, the genital and anal areas. Infection with one of the high-risk types of HPV can lead to genital warts and to cancer. HPV is linked to cervical cancer, anal and genital area cancers (including vulva, vagina and penis), and cancers of the mouth and throat. HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, as well as through oral, vaginal or anal sex.
Symptoms – HPV has no symptoms, so you are unlikely to know that you have it. HPV is very common and most people will get some type of HPV in their life.
Prevention – HPV lives on the skin in and around the whole genital area, so using condoms does not provide complete protection from HPV.
Treatment – Most HPV will clear spontaneously, with approximately 70% of new infections clearing within one year and approximately 90% clearing within two years. There is no treatment for HPV itself, however there are treatments for conditions caused by HPV, such as genital warts, cervical cell changes and cancer.
Vaccination - HPV vaccine is available to some groups on the NHS including school children and men who have sex with men. The vaccine is very successful in reducing risk of cervical and other cancers. This vaccine is predicted to save thousands of lives. There is benefit in receiving the vaccine up to the age of 45.
The Varicella-Zoster vaccine is designed to protect against chickenpox.
Disease and transmission – Caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus, chickenpox is highly contagious. Spread through close contact, and most contagious day before rash appears. The infection is usually milder in children than in adults. Most people will only have chickenpox once to give lifelong immunity.
Symptoms – Itchy rash anywhere on body. Stage 1 -small spots appear, stage 2 spots become itchy fluid-filled blisters, stage three when the spots form a scab. Symptoms can include a high temperature, aches and pains, loss of appetite. Pregnant women, babies or people with a weakened immune system are at particular risk.
Prevention – Most people who have the vaccination will not get chickenpox. If a vaccinated person does get chickenpox, symptoms are milder, with fewer or no blisters and mild or no fever.
Treatment – A person is infectious until all the spots have scabbed over. This is usually five days after spots appear. There is no specific treatment but drinking plenty of fluids, taking paracetamol and remaining cool will help. If itchy then antihistamines can help. Do not take ibuprofen. Seek help urgently from your GP if you are pregnant and exposed to chickenpox.
Vaccination - The chickenpox vaccine is not part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule in the UK. It is given as two doses, 4-8 weeks apart.
The pneumococcal vaccine is to reduce the risk of pneumonia.
Disease and transmission – Pneumonia is inflammation in one or both lungs, usually caused by a bacterial infection or a virus.
Symptoms – Cough, often producing green or brown mucus, difficulty breathing, fever, rapid heart beat, sweating and shivering, fatigue, chest pain (especially on coughing), joint and muscle pain, confusion.
Prevention – Most cases are bacterial and are not passed on from person to person, ensuring good hygiene helps prevent germs spreading. Cover your cough and wash your hands regularly.
A healthy lifestyle can also help prevent pneumonia - for example, stopping smoking as smoking damages the lining of the lungs. Excessive alcohol use also weakens your lungs, making you more vulnerable to pneumonia.
Treatment – Mild pneumonia can usually be treated at home by rest, increased fluid intake, and taking antibiotics if caused by a bacterial infection. The cough may last for several weeks. Pneumonia can be severe, in some cases fatal, and may need to be treated in hospital. Complications of pneumonia are more common in young children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions; complications of pneumonia include pleurisy and sepsis.
Vaccination - This vaccination helps reduce risk of pneumonia due to pneumococcal bacteria. The vaccine encourages your body to produce antibodies against pneumococcal bacteria. These antibodies protect you from becoming ill if you're infected with the bacteria. We offer the adult vaccine which protects against 23 strains of pneumococcal bacteria.