HPV vaccine: full list of secondary school 'catch-up' sessions
30 May 2025
Secondary school pupils who missed out on receiving a vaccine that offers vital protection against several types of cancer can access catch-up sessions in the coming weeks.
The Cardiff and Vale School Nursing Immunisation Team will be returning to schools in June 2025 to administer the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to children in Years 8, 9 and 10.
The vaccine is highly effective at reducing the risk of getting HPV, a group of more than 100 viruses that are easily spread by skin-to-skin contact.
Most people who become infected with HPV will clear the virus from their body and won’t become unwell, but for others it can lead to cancer of the cervix, some mouth and throat cancers, cancer of the anus and genital areas as well as genital warts.
Some parents may still think the HPV vaccine is just for girls to protect against cervical cancer, but since 2019 the vaccine has also been offered to all boys in Year 8, protecting both genders from several cancers caused by the HPV virus.
HPV usually has no symptoms, which is why it is so easy to pass on. It is very common, and 8 in 10 people will get infected at some point in their lives.
But to date the vaccine has proved very effective. Since it was introduced in 2008, it has reduced cervical cancer rates by almost 90% in women in their 20s.
This spring, Cardiff and Vale UHB’s School Nursing Immunisation Team visited schools across the region to administer the HPV vaccine to Year 8s, along with those in Year 9, 10 and 11 who missed out in Year 8.
However, the team will be returning between June 3 and 30 to vaccinate those in years 8-10 who were missed in their first visit.
If your child did not receive their HPV vaccine the first time around, please look out for further information from the school along with a link to the consent form.
We urge young people and their parents to ensure consent forms are returned so both boys and girls take up this potentially life-saving vaccine when offered.
Year 11s can receive the vaccine at a community catch-up clinic - call 02920 907661 to make an appointment.
The Cardiff and Vale School Nursing Immunisation Team will be visiting years 8-10 in secondary schools to administer the HPV vaccine on the following dates:
3/6/25
Cardiff High School
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern
St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School
4/6/25
Pencoedtre High School
Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg
5/6/25
Corpus Christi Catholic High School
St Teilo’s Church in Wales High School
Eastern High School
10/6/25
Radyr Comprehensive School
Whitmore High School
11/6/25
Stanwell School
St Cyres School
12/6/25
Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School
Llantwit Major School
Cowbridge Comprehensive School
16/6/25
Mary Immaculate High School
17/6/25
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr
Whitchurch High School
19/6/25
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf
20/6/25
Woodlands High School
23/6/25
Cathays High School
24/6/25
St Illtyd’s Catholic High School
Cantonian High School
25/6/25
Fitzalan High School
27/6/25
Cardiff West Community High School
30/06/25
Llanishen High School
The HPV vaccination programme has been supported this year by Miss Wales Mille-Mae Adams (full story here) and by Cardiff City FC Foundation in 2024 (full story here).