Many students want to know how to get the HPV vaccination in the UK. This article compiles some places where international students in the UK often go to get the HPV vaccine. We hope to provide you with some help.
Check this out if you are also interested in studying Pharmacy in the UK: Charting Your Path in Pharmacy: An Insight into UK’s Renowned Pharmacy Programs
Check this out if you need help in getting private healthcare in the UK: Comprehensive Guide to Accessing Private Healthcare in the UK
Find more about student accommodation in the UK: Unveiling the Student Experience: Navigating Student Accommodation in Lancaster
Where Can I Get HPV Vaccine in the UK?
The HPV vaccine currently available in the UK is the 9-valent Gardasil. This is the most commonly used and most effective HPV vaccine worldwide.
In the UK, any GP-registered woman between 18 and 40 can choose to get the 9-valent HPV vaccine at Boots, Superdrug, Lloyds Pharmacy and some Private Clinics. Those under 18 can go to a GP to get the HPV vaccine for free.
Below are a few recommended pharmacies that international students in the UK often go to for HPV vaccination, and there are often discounts so that you can pay attention to them.
Lloyds Pharmacy is the first choice for HPV vaccination for international students in the UK. The original price of three shots is £469, and sometimes there are discounts for events.
Lloyds Pharmacy is the second largest pharmacy in the United Kingdom after Boots. Since Sainsbury’s pharmacy business was acquired, Lloyds’s chain of pharmacies in the United Kingdom reached more than 1,600. Regarding shop numbers, Lloyds Pharmacy has overtaken Superdrug to become the second-largest pharmacy chain in the UK after Boots. It’s good for booking appointments, and there’s usually plenty of stock.
2. Boots
Boots has the largest distribution in the UK, so many people choose to go to Boots to get HPV vaccination, which makes it very difficult to book an appointment for HPV vaccination in Boots. Especially in London, more people are queuing up to book an appointment, and the vaccine is often out of stock. The HPV vaccine from Boots is £475 for three injections, plus £19 credit, equivalent to £456 in the final calculation.
3. Superdrug
Superdrug is also a very large pharmacy chain in the UK, and the quality of vaccination is guaranteed. The price for 3 doses of HPV vaccine at Superdrug is £469. But it is also very difficult to book. And there are a lot of stockouts.
4. NHS-accredited independent pharmacies
Many international students will also go to an NHS-registered pharmacy where international students are qualified to provide vaccination services to receive the HPV vaccine. The benefits of these pharmacies are that they have relatively few appointments and are well-stocked. They also often offer discounts. International students in the UK can get the HPV vaccine quickly and at a lower price at these places.
Procedure for HPV vaccination in the UK
- When you arrive at the pharmacy, tell the staff (pharmacist) in the shop that you have made an appointment for the HPV vaccine. After that, they will take you into the room.
- The pharmacist will ask you to complete a form after checking your personal information. The form will broadly cover personal information, medical history and allergy history.
- After filling it out, the pharmacist will ask some basic questions again. For example, whether you have a fever, eczema, etc.
- After completing the form, the pharmacist will repeat the HPV introduction to you again. After that, sign to confirm the vaccination.
- Since the injection is on the upper side of your arm, it is recommended that you wear loose-fitting clothes or a shirt with buttons on that day.
- After the vaccination, the pharmacist will ask if you would like to make an appointment for the next injection. If you fear the time will change, you can make an appointment by phone or online.
- It doesn’t matter if you already have an appointment, but something comes up. You can call to change the time, which is very convenient.
Things to be Aware of After Injection
- Arm pain is frequent, and the inoculated hand should avoid intense exercise. If you have to go to class or take an exam on the same day, you should be careful because it may hurt to lift your arm.
- Some students may experience fatigue, dizziness, nausea, fever, and vomiting. All of these vary from one individual’s constitution to another. If the situation is severe, you must consult your doctor promptly.
- You can bathe usually, but the doctor advises against drinking alcohol.
FAQ
- People with moderate or severe acute illness. This group should only use the vaccine after their acute illness has improved.
- People who have allergic reactions to vaccine-based drugs.
- Women during pregnancy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified the utility of the HPV vaccine during pregnancy as Category B, meaning that no significant harm has been found from the HPV vaccine in animal studies. Because of the lack of data from human trials, the harm to women during pregnancy is unknown and subject to further study.
- If eczema occurs during vaccination, stop the injection immediately.
Generally, the HPV vaccine available in the UK requires three doses, totalling 6 months in length. So it’s important to ensure you time it right, and it’s a good idea to set aside 6 months for the vaccination. The first vaccination can be given at any time you choose. The second time is two months after the first injection. The third time is four months after the second injection. It is important to note that the second and third injections can only be delayed but not early.
There are three types of HPV vaccines that are currently the most popular around the world:
1. Bivalent Cervarix
2. Quadrivalent Gardasil
3. Nine-valent Gardasil
