HPV Vaccine in Portsmouth
Gardasil 9 HPV vaccination. Three-dose course for adults over 25 missed by the NHS programme.
HPV vaccine for adults missed by the NHS programme
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection that causes cervical cancer, anal cancer, oropharyngeal (throat) cancer and penile cancer, plus genital warts. The HPV vaccine Gardasil 9 protects against nine high-risk strains of HPV responsible for around 90% of HPV-related cancers in the UK.
The NHS offers free HPV vaccination to 12–13 year-old boys and girls as part of the routine UK schedule, plus catch-up programmes for under-25s in some circumstances. Adults over 25 who never received the vaccine, who only had the older 4-strain Gardasil version, or who fell outside the NHS programme can choose to vaccinate privately.
Gunwharf Travel Clinic, operated by Merali Pharmacy, provides Gardasil 9 alongside our core travel medicine service. Abdullah Seyed (MPharm, GPhC reg. 2211356) leads day-to-day clinical practice. GPhC premises 1099145.
The standard adult course is three doses given over six months. The vaccine works best before HPV exposure, but provides meaningful protection even for adults who have likely been exposed to some HPV strains — because Gardasil 9 covers strains you may not have encountered.
Lead pharmacist at Merali Pharmacy, operating Gunwharf Travel Clinic on Queen Street, Portsea. GPhC-registered (reg. 2211356), travel-medicine trained, working under UK regulatory standards.
About HPV and the vaccine
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 100 related viruses, many of which are sexually transmitted. Most HPV infections clear without causing problems, but persistent infection with certain high-risk strains can cause cancer years or decades later. HPV is responsible for nearly all cervical cancers, around 90% of anal cancers, around 70% of oropharyngeal (throat) cancers, and a significant proportion of vulval, vaginal and penile cancers. It also causes most genital warts.
What the vaccine covers
Gardasil 9 — the current NHS routine vaccine — protects against nine HPV strains (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58). These nine strains cause around 90% of HPV-related cancers in the UK plus most genital warts. The older 4-strain Gardasil (used in the NHS programme before 2021) covers strains 6, 11, 16 and 18 — still effective but missing the five additional cancer-causing strains.
Who should consider private HPV vaccination?
The NHS offers free Gardasil 9 to 12–13 year-olds as part of the routine schedule, with catch-up available for under-25s in some circumstances. Adults over 25 who missed the routine programme, who only received the older 4-strain version, or who fell outside NHS eligibility windows can choose to vaccinate privately. Vaccination is particularly relevant for adults entering new relationships, healthcare workers, and those at higher risk of HPV-related cancers.
Does it still work after exposure?
Yes — just not quite as well as before exposure. Most sexually active adults have been exposed to some HPV strains but rarely all nine. Gardasil 9 still provides meaningful protection against the strains you haven't yet met. The vaccine doesn't treat existing HPV infection or HPV-related changes that are already present, so cervical screening remains important.
How the adult course works
For adults aged 15 and over the standard schedule is three doses over six months: doses at 0, 2 and 6 months. Younger adolescents (under 15) get a two-dose schedule. Each dose is a single injection in the upper arm. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived — soreness at the injection site, occasional mild fever or headache for a day or two.
Travel context — age and lifestyle, not destination
HPV vaccination is age-related and exposure-related rather than destination-specific. The travel angle we see most often: young adults on extended travel or working-holiday visas catching up on HPV vaccination before they leave. Common contexts:
- Australia — working-holiday visa travellers
- Cambodia — extended Southeast Asia trips
- Philippines
- Fiji
- Peru — gap-year/backpacker context
Booking in Portsmouth
Book online at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking or call 02392 821859. The first appointment takes around 20–30 minutes. We'll book all three doses at the first visit so the schedule is locked in. We're at 24 Queen Street, Portsea, walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
Everything you need in one appointment
Three doses over six months. We book all three at the first appointment.
Consultation and eligibility
Quick discussion of your HPV vaccine history, age, and whether the adult three-dose course is appropriate.
Gardasil 9 vaccine
Covers nine high-risk HPV strains (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58) responsible for around 90% of HPV-related cancers.
Cancer prevention
Reduces lifetime risk of cervical, anal, throat and penile cancers, plus genital warts.
Three-dose course over six months
Doses given at 0, 2 and 6 months. We coordinate the schedule around your availability.
Vaccination record
Written record for your medical history and any future GP or specialist review.
Adults 25 and over
Most relevant for adults over 25 who missed the routine NHS programme or who only received the older 4-strain Gardasil.
Three doses at 0, 2 and 6 months.
Three doses to complete the course.
Book the first dose
Pick a slot at gunwharftravelclinic.co.uk/booking. Bring whatever HPV vaccine history you have — NHS app, GP record, school programme record.
First dose, schedule the rest
Single injection in the upper arm. We book doses 2 and 3 at the first appointment so you have all the dates locked in.
Doses 2 and 3 at 2 and 6 months
Complete the course over six months. Full protection from a few weeks after the third dose.
Thirty minutes from arrival to vaccinated.
What actually happens when you walk through the door at 24 Queen Street.
Best pharmacy in Portsmouth. Nothing ever too much trouble. Always pleasant, helpful, understanding and so friendly.
Every vaccine you need. One appointment.
The vaccines UK clinics actually stock...
Real advice. Real travellers.
"Best pharmacy in Portsmouth..."
"Excellent pharmacy..."
"I find the staff polite..."
On Queen Street, Portsea. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
24 Queen Street, Portsea,
Portsmouth PO1 3HN
In the city · Walk or short drive
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Common HPV vaccine questions
Who should consider the HPV vaccine?
The NHS routine schedule covers 12–13 year-olds. Adults over 25 who missed the routine programme, or who only received the older 4-strain Gardasil rather than the current 9-strain Gardasil 9, may benefit from private vaccination. Particularly relevant for adults with new partners, healthcare workers, and those at higher risk of HPV-related cancers.
Does HPV vaccination still work if I'm already sexually active?
Yes — just not quite as well. Gardasil 9 covers nine HPV strains; even if you've been exposed to some strains, you may not have encountered all nine. The vaccine still provides meaningful protection against the strains you haven't yet met.
How is Gardasil 9 different from the older Gardasil?
Gardasil 9 covers nine HPV strains (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58) compared to the older 4-strain Gardasil (6, 11, 16, 18). The five additional strains in Gardasil 9 cause around 15% of cervical cancers in the UK. The NHS routine programme has used Gardasil 9 since 2021.
Is it just for women?
No — the UK routine programme covers boys and girls, and Gardasil 9 is licensed for both. HPV causes anal, throat and penile cancers in men as well as cervical cancer in women, plus genital warts in both sexes.
How long does protection last?
Long-term studies are still ongoing but protection appears to last at least 10–15 years and probably significantly longer. No booster is currently recommended after the three-dose course.
What about side effects?
Most people experience only mild side effects — soreness or redness at the injection site, occasional mild fever or headache for a day or two. Serious reactions are very rare.
Can I have it if I'm pregnant?
No — routine practice is to defer HPV vaccination until after pregnancy. The vaccine is non-live, but as a precaution it isn't given during pregnancy.
Where can I get the HPV vaccine in Portsmouth?
Gunwharf Travel Clinic, 24 Queen Street, Portsea, Portsmouth PO1 3HN — inside Merali Pharmacy. Walking distance from Gunwharf Quays.
From Portsmouth to 24 Queen Street
We're on Queen Street in Portsea, two minutes from Gunwharf Quays.
Pharmaceutical
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Book your HPV vaccination course.
Three doses over six months. We coordinate the schedule.
- NHS — HPV vaccine overview (accessed 2026-05-20)
- UK Health Security Agency — Green Book chapter 18a: Human papillomavirus (accessed 2026-05-20)
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) — Gardasil 9 Summary of Product Characteristics (accessed 2026-05-20)
- GPhC — Register entry — Abdullah Seyed (2211356) at Merali Pharmacy (accessed 2026-05-20)
Information on this page is general guidance from Gunwharf Travel Clinic, operated by Merali Pharmacy (GPhC premises 1099145). HPV vaccination is recommended on a case-by-case basis depending on your age, previous vaccine history and circumstances.
