Parents and family members of teenagers and young adults in Bournemouth, Poole, and wider Dorset are being urged to remind young people to make sure they are vaccinated against the human papillomavirus virus (HPV) by coming to a walk-in clinic for a FREE vaccination.
HPV is a common virus that can lead to several types of cancer, including throat, anal, cervical, and penile cancers. The vaccination is highly effective, helping to give young people protection from these future dangerous health risks.
This February and March, NHS Dorset HealthCare staff are visiting schools and colleges, as well as hosting walk-in clinics across the county, making it easy for young people aged 16–24 to catch up on missed HPV vaccinations.
The HPV vaccination is available free of charge to females born on or after 1 September 1991 (up to age 24), and to males born on or after 1 September 2006 (up to age 16 and 17, and some 18-year-olds).
No appointment is necessary to attend a walk-in clinic, and it’s completely FREE. Only one dose is necessary to be protected.
“Some young people had the vaccination in school, and other missed it during the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to give everyone in the right age bracket the chance to get protected for life,” said Paul Bolton, Clinical Services Manager for the HPV vaccination programme in Dorset.
“As a parent, you naturally want to do everything you can to protect your child’s health, no matter what their age. Please help us to reach young people, by reminding your 16-25 year olds about this vaccination. The HPV vaccination is safe and is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent certain cancers later in life.
“Take advantage of the convenient walk-in clinics happening now. Anyone who is not sure if they have had the vaccination already can come along and talk to a member of the team.”
Walk-in clinics are at convenient locations such as BH2 Leisure in Bournemouth and the Linden Unit in Weymouth. Full addresses, dates and more venues are continuously being added to the webpage at www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk/update/hpv/.
People can also follow this work on social media @DorsetHealthcare.
