Adolescent immunisations (6-21 years old)

It's important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but if you or your child have missed a vaccination, contact your GP to catch up.

HPV 

The HPV vaccine reduces your chances of getting human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that's spread through close intimate skin to skin contact.

Some types of HPV are linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, including cervical cancer. It can also cause genital warts. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for 99.8% of cervical cancer cases in the UK, making it a critical public health concern. Getting the HPV vaccination can prevent certain cancers. Find out more about the HPV vaccine:

HPV vaccine - NHS

Men ACWY 

There are 13 different strains of meningococcal bacteria, this vaccine offers protection against four of the most common strains of the bacteria. These bacteria can cause meningitis and septicaemia. 

Meningitis is inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, which causes pressure on the brain. Meningitis can progress very quickly and can lead to deafness, blindness, epilepsy and learning difficulties. It can even lead to death.

Find out more about the Men ACWY vaccine:

MenACWY vaccine - NHS

Septicaemia (blood poisoning) is a serious, life-threatening infection that gets worse very quickly and the risk of death is higher compared with meningitis.

Td/IPV (3 in 1 teenage booster) 

The Td/IPV vaccine protects against three serious illnesses: tetanus, diphtheria and polio. It boosts the protection provided by the 6-in-1 vaccine and 4-in-1 pre-school booster vaccine. 

Find out more about the Td/IPV (teenage booster):

Td/IPV vaccine (3-in-1 teenage booster) - NHS

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can cause breathing problems, as well as damaging the heart and nervous system, in severe cases, it can kill.

Polio

Polio is a serious infection which can cause total paralysis. Polio is now very rare in the UK because of the success of the Polio vaccination, however the chance of getting ill from polio is higher if you are not fully vaccinated, so it's important to make sure you and your child have received all the vaccine doses.

Tetanus

Tetanus is a serious, life-threatening condition caused by bacteria getting into a wound. It's rare in the UK because of the success of the tetanus vaccine. Although Tetanus is rare the chances of getting it is higher if you or your child have not been fully vaccinated.

College and university students

With lots of people newly coming together in confined environments and close mixing, universities and higher education establishments can be hot spots for infectious disease as they present the perfect opportunity for infection to spread.

If you're starting college or university, you should check with your parents or GP practice that you've already had:

• MenACWY vaccine – which protects against serious infections like meningitis, Meningitis and septicaemia can both be fatal or cause life-changing disabilities.  University students are at increased risk of Meningitis. 
• Two doses of the MMR vaccine – as there are outbreaks of mumps and measles at colleges and universities.
• the HPV vaccine – this helps protect against genital warts and cancers caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), including cervical cancer.

If students have not yet had their vaccines, they should arrange to have any missed vaccinations as soon as possible with their home GP practice before starting college or university. If that is not possible, you can register with a GP local to your university and book to have any missed vaccines with them. Get more information on how to find a GP local to university:

Find an NHS Doctor in Salford

Additional vaccines 

Some people may need additional vaccinations, this is specifically for those who are at higher risk of catching certain diseases or becoming seriously unwell from certain diseases. 

BCG/TB vaccine 

The BCG vaccination for TB (Tuberculosis) is mainly given to those who are at a higher risk of coming into contact with TB, such as children who are visiting higher risk countries or have a parent or grandparent from a higher risk country. The BCG vaccination is also recommended to some people who may be a risk through their work. See if you or your child are eligible: 

BCG vaccine for tuberculosis - NHS 

Chickenpox 

From January 2026 children are now offered the MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (varicella).

Children are offered two doses of the vaccine when they are 12 months and 18 months old. Older children born on or after 1 January 2020 are also offered one or two doses of the vaccine.

The vaccine is available to those who have a higher risk of getting seriously ill from chickenpox or children whose family members are at higher risk. If you have missed your MMR vaccination you can still get it from your GP however, you will now be given MMRV. See if you are eligible:

Chickenpox vaccine - NHS

More information on what vaccinations you should have had as a young child (0-5) can be found here: add our link to childhood imms (0-5) vaccinations. 

Find out the full range of vaccines available on the NHS and when you should have them: 

Vaccinations - NHS