COVID booster 2026/27: who gets it free, and how to get it privately

Every autumn the questions start again: “Am I due a COVID booster?” and, for many people, “I’m not eligible, but can I still have one?” The NHS offer has narrowed over the last few seasons, so here’s exactly who qualifies this winter, how to book it, and what to do if you’re not on the list.

This is general information, not personal advice. Whether a vaccine is right for you is confirmed at your appointment.

The short answer

Free on the NHS if you’re 75 or over (including anyone who’ll be 75 by 31 January 2027), live in a care home for older adults, or are aged 6 months to 74 with a weakened immune system.
NHS appointments start on 1 October 2026. If you’re eligible, the NHS says you can book now online or in the NHS App, without waiting for an invitation.
Not eligible? You can pay for a private booster. At MediPill it’s £99, or £119 with a flu jab in the same visit. Private bookings open on 1 October.
You can have it at the same time as your flu jab, the NHS says.

Who can get a free NHS COVID booster this winter?

According to the NHS, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine this winter if you:

are aged 75 or over, including those who’ll be 75 by 31 January 2027
are aged 6 months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment
live in a care home for older adults

The NHS gives examples of conditions and treatments that can weaken your immune system, including blood cancer, an organ or stem cell transplant, HIV, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, some steroid medicines, and long-term immunosuppressive treatment for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or inflammatory bowel disease. The list isn’t complete, so if you’re not sure, ask a pharmacist, your GP surgery or your specialist.

How to book your free NHS booster

If you’re eligible, the NHS says you can book online or in the NHS App now, for appointments from 1 October 2026. From then, you may also be able to go to a walk-in vaccination site or a local pharmacy or GP surgery.

We give NHS COVID boosters at all four MediPill branches. Book through the NHS service and choose your nearest branch, or call us and we’ll help.

Not eligible? How a private booster works

If you’re under 75 and don’t have a weakened immune system, you’re not eligible on the NHS this season. You can still have the same kind of updated booster privately.

At MediPill:

£99, consultation included
£119 with a flu jab in the same appointment, one in each arm
any adult can book, with no eligibility questions
appointments take 10 to 15 minutes, at all four branches
private bookings open on 1 October

You need to wait at least 3 months after your last COVID vaccine or a confirmed COVID infection. Full details and booking are on our COVID vaccination page.

Why have a booster?

The NHS explains that COVID vaccines are offered each season because the virus changes and protection fades over time. It says the vaccine can help reduce your risk of severe symptoms, help you recover more quickly, and reduce your risk of going to hospital.

You can still catch and spread COVID-19 after being vaccinated, so the usual advice about avoiding catching and spreading it still applies.

Can I have it with my flu jab?

Yes. The NHS says you can have the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the flu vaccine in winter. If you’re paying for both, having them together at MediPill costs £119 instead of £124. Our flu jab guide explains who gets that one free.

Side effects

Most people have a sore arm and feel a little tired, or have a mild temperature, for about a day. Serious reactions are rare, and the pharmacist who vaccinates you is trained to deal with them.

The NHS says most people who are eligible can have the vaccine, including if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Tell the pharmacist about any allergies or previous reactions to a vaccine.

Common questions

I’m 74. Can I get a free booster? Yes, if you’ll be 75 by 31 January 2027. Otherwise, only if you have a weakened immune system or live in a care home for older adults.

Do I need to wait for an invitation? No. The NHS says eligible people don’t need to wait for an invitation before booking.

How much is a private COVID booster? At MediPill it’s £99, or £119 with a flu jab in the same visit. Other providers set their own prices.

How long after having COVID should I wait? At least 3 months after a confirmed infection or your last COVID vaccine.

COVID boosters in Oxford

NHS and private boosters are available at all four of our branches:

MediPill Botley – 9 Westway Square, OX2 9TJ
Headington Pharmacy – 207 London Road, OX3 9JA
MediPill Summertown – 227 Banbury Road, OX2 7HQ
MediPill Deddington – The Studio, Hudson Street, OX15 0SW

Book on our COVID vaccination page, or see all our seasonal vaccinations. Questions first? Get in touch and a pharmacist will come back to you.

Sources

COVID-19 vaccine – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/ (accessed 23 September 2026)
MediPill private COVID booster prices and timings: our COVID vaccination page (23 September 2026)

Written by Zain Rajabali, Superintendent Pharmacist – GPhC #2219769
Medically reviewed by Zain Rajabali, Superintendent Pharmacist, Independent Prescriber – GPhC #2219769
Last reviewed: 23 September 2026 · Next review due: August 2027

This article is general health information and is not a substitute for a consultation. It does not recommend any specific vaccine for you. NHS eligibility is confirmed by the NHS booking service, and suitability at an individual assessment with a pharmacist.

Chickenpox vaccine in the UK: who gets it free, and who needs to pay?

For years, the UK was one of the few countries that didn’t vaccinate children against chickenpox. That’s changed: children are now offered it on the NHS. But plenty of older children, teenagers and adults have never had chickenpox or the vaccine, and they’re the people who usually ask us about it.

This is general information, not personal advice. Whether the vaccine is right for you is confirmed at your appointment.

The short answer

Young children now get it free on the NHS, as part of the MMRV vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox) at 12 and 18 months. Older children born on or after 1 January 2020 are also offered it.
The NHS also offers it to healthy people in close contact with someone at high risk from chickenpox, and to some healthcare workers.
Everyone else can have it privately. At MediPill it’s £90 per dose, and the course is two doses: £180.
Two doses are needed, usually 4 to 8 weeks apart.

Who gets the chickenpox vaccine free on the NHS?

Children. The NHS says children are now offered the MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox, with doses at 12 months and 18 months. Older children born on or after 1 January 2020 are also offered 1 or 2 doses.

Close contacts of people at high risk. The NHS recommends the chickenpox vaccine if you’re healthy and all of these apply:

you’re in regular or close contact with someone at risk of getting seriously ill from chickenpox, such as a child with leukaemia or an adult having chemotherapy
you’re 9 months old or over
you’ve not had chickenpox before
you’ve not had 2 doses of the MMRV or chickenpox vaccine
you’re not eligible for the MMRV vaccine

Some healthcare workers who aren’t immune and have close contact with patients may also be offered it, usually through their employer.

If you think you or your family qualify, the NHS advises contacting your GP surgery.

Who pays for it privately?

Mostly older children, teenagers and adults who’ve never had chickenpox and aren’t covered by the NHS groups above. The NHS explains that chickenpox is usually mild, but can be very serious for some people, including pregnant women, babies and people with a weakened immune system.

Private vaccination is often chosen by:

teenagers and young adults heading to university or travelling
adults who never had chickenpox as a child
parents of older children born before 2020, who aren’t in the NHS programme

If you’re not sure whether you’ve had chickenpox, the NHS says you may need a blood test to check.

How the vaccine is given

The NHS says the chickenpox vaccine is given as an injection, and you need 2 doses, usually 4 to 8 weeks apart.

At MediPill, it’s £90 per dose (£180 for the two-dose course), including a pharmacist consultation. We vaccinate from 12 months old, at all four branches. Details and booking are on our chickenpox vaccine page.

Who shouldn’t have it

It’s a live vaccine, so the NHS says it isn’t recommended for:

people with a weakened immune system, for example because of HIV or chemotherapy
pregnant women (and you should avoid getting pregnant for 1 month after the last dose)
babies under 9 months
anyone who’s had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose or an ingredient, including neomycin or gelatin
anyone who’s had the MMR vaccine in the last 4 weeks, or is due it in the next 4 weeks

If you have a high temperature or feel too unwell for your usual activities, wait until you’re better.

Common questions

Is the chickenpox vaccine free on the NHS now? For young children, yes, as part of the MMRV vaccine, and for children born on or after 1 January 2020. For most adults and older children, no, unless they’re a close contact of someone at high risk.

How much is the chickenpox vaccine privately? At MediPill it’s £90 per dose, and the course is two doses, so £180. Other providers set their own prices.

Can adults have the chickenpox vaccine? Yes, if you’ve never had chickenpox. A pharmacist will check your history and whether it’s suitable.

Can I have it if I’m planning a pregnancy? The NHS says to avoid getting pregnant for 1 month after your last dose, and you can’t have it while pregnant. Talk to a pharmacist about timing.

Chickenpox vaccination in Oxford

MediPill Botley – 9 Westway Square, OX2 9TJ
Headington Pharmacy – 207 London Road, OX3 9JA
MediPill Summertown – 227 Banbury Road, OX2 7HQ
MediPill Deddington – The Studio, Hudson Street, OX15 0SW

Book on our chickenpox vaccine page, or see our other private vaccinations. Questions first? Get in touch and a pharmacist will come back to you.

Sources

Chickenpox vaccine – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/chickenpox-vaccine/ (accessed 23 September 2026)
MediPill chickenpox vaccine price and ages: our chickenpox vaccine page (23 September 2026)

This article is general health information and is not a substitute for a consultation. It does not recommend any specific vaccine for you. Suitability is decided at an individual assessment with a pharmacist, and NHS eligibility by your GP surgery.

How much is the shingles vaccine? NHS eligibility vs private cost in the UK

“How much is the shingles jab?” is one of the questions we hear most from people in their fifties and early sixties, usually right after a friend or relative has had shingles and described it. The honest answer depends first on whether you can get it free, and the NHS rules on that changed recently. Here’s how it works, and what it costs if you pay.

This is general information, not a personal recommendation. Whether the vaccine is right for you is confirmed at your appointment.

The short answer

Free on the NHS if you’re turning 65 (on or after 1 September 2023), if you’re aged 70 to 79, or if you’re 18 or over with a severely weakened immune system.
Privately at MediPill: £240 per dose. The course is two doses, so the full course is £480.
The NHS offer ends at your 80th birthday for most people. If you have a severely weakened immune system, you can still have it after 80.
You can get shingles more than once, so the NHS recommends vaccination even if you’ve had it before.

Who gets the shingles vaccine free on the NHS?

The NHS offers the vaccine to people most likely to get shingles, or to get complications from it:

People turning 65. If you turn 65 on or after 1 September 2023, you become eligible on your 65th birthday.
Everyone aged 70 to 79. If you turned 65 before 1 September 2023, your eligibility starts at 70 instead.
Anyone aged 18 or over with a severely weakened immune system, for example some people with blood cancer or HIV, people who’ve recently had a stem cell or organ transplant, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and people on certain medicines that severely weaken the immune system.

Your GP surgery should contact you when you become eligible. If you think you qualify and haven’t heard anything, the NHS advises contacting your surgery.

Why isn’t it given on the NHS after 80?

This is one of the most searched shingles questions, and it catches people out. Under the NHS programme, you stay eligible until your 80th birthday, although you can have your second dose up until your 81st. After that, only people with a severely weakened immune system can get it on the NHS.

So if you’re in your late seventies and haven’t had it, it’s worth contacting your GP surgery now rather than later.

How much does a private shingles vaccine cost?

If you don’t qualify for the NHS vaccine, for example because you’re in your fifties or early sixties and want protection sooner, you can pay for it privately.

At MediPill it’s £240 per dose, and the course is two doses: £480 in total. Each dose includes a consultation with a pharmacist, who checks your medical history, your medicines and any allergies before vaccinating. The second dose is given 2 to 6 months after the first, and you need both for full protection, so it’s worth booking the second dose before you leave the first appointment.

Privately, the vaccine is available for adults aged 50 and over, and for adults aged 18 and over with a weakened immune system. Details and booking are on our shingles vaccine page, where you choose your branch and time.

Is it worth paying for?

That’s a personal decision, and there’s no pressure either way. The NHS explains why it’s offered to older adults: shingles causes a painful rash and can sometimes lead to serious problems such as long-lasting pain, hearing loss or blindness, and both getting shingles and having complications become more likely as you get older.

The people who come to us privately usually fall into one of three groups: they’re in their fifties or early sixties and don’t want to wait for the NHS offer, they’ve watched someone close to them go through shingles, or they have a weakened immune system and want to talk through the timing with a pharmacist.

If you’re close to 65, it may make sense to wait for the free NHS vaccine. We’d rather tell you that than sell you a course you’d get free next year.

Who shouldn’t have it, and what to expect

Most people can have the shingles vaccine. The NHS says the only people who can’t are those who’ve had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose or an ingredient in the vaccine. If you have a high temperature or feel too unwell to do your normal activities, wait until you’re better.

Side effects are usually mild and settle within 2 or 3 days. The NHS lists swelling, itchiness, bruising or pain where the injection was given, a headache, an aching body, tiredness, a high temperature and shivering. Serious allergic reactions are very rare, and the pharmacist who vaccinates you is trained to treat them straight away.

You can usually have the shingles vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, such as the flu, COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines, which is handy in the autumn.

Common questions

How much is the shingles vaccine in the UK? It’s free on the NHS if you’re eligible. Privately at MediPill it’s £240 per dose, and the course is two doses, so £480 in total. Other providers set their own prices.

Is one dose enough? No. The course is two doses, and you need both for full protection.

I’ve already had shingles. Should I still have the vaccine? The NHS says yes: you can get shingles more than once, so it’s important to get vaccinated even if you’ve had it before. A pharmacist can talk through the timing with you.

I’m 64. Should I pay or wait? If you’ll turn 65 soon, you’ll become eligible for the free NHS vaccine on your birthday. Many people in that position decide to wait. If you want it sooner for a particular reason, talk it through with us.

I’m 81 and never had it. Can I still get it? On the NHS, only if you have a severely weakened immune system. Otherwise, ask a pharmacist about private vaccination and whether it’s suitable for you.

Getting vaccinated in Oxford

You can book a private shingles vaccination online through our shingles vaccine page, or ask at any of our branches. Our private vaccinations page covers the other vaccines we offer, and if you’re booking in the autumn, our flu jab guide explains who gets that one free.

Prefer to ask first? Get in touch and a pharmacist will come back to you.

Sources

Shingles vaccine – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/shingles-vaccine/ (accessed 23 September 2026)
Shingles – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shingles/ (accessed 23 September 2026)

Flu jab 2026/27: free on the NHS or private? Who qualifies and where to get it in Oxford

Every autumn the same two questions come up at our counters, usually in the same breath: “Am I entitled to a free one this year?” and “If I’m not, can I just pay?” The answers change a little each season, so here’s where things stand for winter 2026/27, and how to get vaccinated at any of our four Oxford branches.

This is general information, not a personal recommendation. Whether the flu vaccine is right for you is confirmed at your appointment.

The short answer

You get a free NHS flu jab if you’re in a higher-risk group: aged 65 or over (including anyone who’ll be 65 by 31 March 2027), pregnant, living with certain long-term conditions, a carer, living in a care home, living with someone who has a weakened immune system, or experiencing homelessness.
NHS jabs start on 1 October 2026 for most people, and from 1 September if you’re pregnant. If you’re 18 or over you can book now for an appointment from those dates.
Not eligible? You can pay for a private flu jab. At MediPill it’s £25, at any of our four branches, with private bookings opening on 1 October.
October and November are the best time. The NHS says the vaccine usually takes up to 14 days to work.

Who gets a free NHS flu jab this winter?

The NHS offers the flu vaccine every year to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu. For 2026/27 you’re eligible if you:

are aged 65 or over, including those who’ll be 65 by 31 March 2027
are aged 18 to 64 and have certain long-term health conditions
are pregnant
live in a care home
are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer’s allowance
live with someone who has a weakened immune system
are experiencing homelessness or staying in a homeless hostel or night shelter

The long-term conditions include breathing conditions such as asthma needing a steroid inhaler or tablets and COPD, heart conditions, chronic kidney or liver disease, diabetes, some neurological conditions, a weakened immune system, spleen problems, a learning disability, and a BMI of 40 or above. The full list is on the NHS page linked below. If you have a condition and you’re not sure it counts, ask your GP surgery or your specialist, or just ask us.

Frontline health and social care workers usually get their flu jab through their employer.

Children are offered a nasal spray flu vaccine on the NHS rather than an injection, usually through school or their GP surgery. The NHS children’s flu vaccine page explains which ages are covered.

When and where to get the free NHS jab

Most eligible people can have it from 1 October 2026, and pregnant women from 1 September 2026. The NHS lists several places you can go: your GP surgery, a pharmacy that offers NHS flu vaccination if you’re 18 or over, your maternity service if you’re pregnant, or your care home.

All four MediPill branches give NHS flu jabs. To book one with us, use the NHS booking service online or in the NHS App, and search using your nearest branch’s postcode:

Botley – OX2 9TJ
Headington – OX3 9JA
Summertown – OX2 7HQ
Deddington – OX15 0SW

Or just call the branch and we’ll help you book.

Not eligible? How a private flu jab works

If you don’t fit any of the NHS groups – say you’re 45, healthy, and don’t want to lose a week of your winter to flu – you can pay for a private jab. It’s one of the things we’re asked about most in October.

At MediPill a private flu jab is £25, with the consultation included. There are no eligibility questions to get through: a pharmacist checks your medical history and any allergies, answers your questions and gives the injection. It usually takes around ten minutes. Private appointments open on 1 October at all four branches, and you can book online or walk in when the vaccination room is free.

Current details and booking are on our flu vaccine page. If you’d also like a COVID-19 booster, our seasonal vaccinations page covers both, including who gets COVID vaccination free on the NHS.

When should you have it?

October and November. Flu usually peaks over the winter months, and the NHS says the vaccine takes up to 14 days to work, so getting it done in the autumn means you’re protected before cases climb. Later is still worthwhile if you’ve missed that window.

You need a new flu jab every year. The NHS explains that protection goes down over time, and the flu types the vaccine covers are updated each year to match what’s expected to circulate.

Can you have the flu jab if you have a cold?

This is one of the most searched flu questions, and the NHS answer is straightforward: if you have a high temperature, wait until you’re feeling better before having the vaccine. A mild cold without a fever usually isn’t a reason to put it off, but tell the person vaccinating you how you’re feeling and they’ll advise on the day.

You can have the flu vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, such as the COVID-19 and shingles vaccines.

Who shouldn’t have it, and what to expect afterwards

Most people can have the flu vaccine. The NHS says the only people who can’t are those who’ve had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose or to an ingredient in the vaccine. Some flu vaccines used in the UK contain egg protein, so tell us if you have an egg allergy.

Side effects are usually mild and get better within 1 to 2 days. The NHS lists pain or soreness where the injection was given, a slightly raised temperature and an aching body. Serious allergic reactions are very rare, and the pharmacist who vaccinates you is trained to deal with them straight away.

It can’t give you flu. The injected flu vaccines used in the UK don’t contain live flu viruses. You might still catch flu after being vaccinated, but the NHS says it’s likely to be milder and not last as long.

Common questions

How much is a private flu jab in Oxford? At MediPill it’s £25, consultation included, at all four branches. Other providers set their own prices.

Is it worth paying if I’m healthy? That’s your decision, and there’s no pressure either way. People who choose it usually don’t want the week off work, are around babies or older relatives, or simply had a bad winter last year. If you’re not sure whether you actually qualify for a free one, check the NHS list first, or ask us.

I’m 64. Can I get a free one? You can if you’ll be 65 by 31 March 2027, or if one of the other groups applies to you.

Can I walk in? Yes, when the vaccination room is free. Booking online guarantees your slot.

My child needs a flu vaccine. Can you help? Children are offered a nasal spray vaccine on the NHS, usually at school or their GP surgery. Start with the NHS children’s flu vaccine page, or ask at any branch.

Getting your flu jab in Oxford

NHS and private flu jabs are available at all four of our branches, and there’s always a pharmacist on duty:

MediPill Botley – 9 Westway Square, OX2 9TJ
Headington Pharmacy – 207 London Road, OX3 9JA
MediPill Summertown – 227 Banbury Road, OX2 7HQ
MediPill Deddington – The Studio, Hudson Street, OX15 0SW

For private booking, start at our flu vaccine page. Questions first? Get in touch and a pharmacist will come back to you.

Sources

Flu vaccine – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/ (accessed 23 September 2026)
Children’s flu vaccine – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/ (accessed 23 September 2026)
Book a flu vaccination – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-flu-vaccination/ (accessed 23 September 2026)

The HPV vaccine for adults: who needs it, how many doses, NHS or private

We get asked about the HPV vaccine at the counter more than you might expect, and it’s rarely by the people the school programme was designed for. It’s the 27-year-old who never had it because it wasn’t offered to boys when he was at school. It’s the woman who had one dose in Year 8, missed the rest and isn’t sure if she’s covered. It’s someone starting a new relationship who has just read that HPV is linked to several cancers and wants to know if it’s too late.

Usually it isn’t too late. Here’s who can get the vaccine free on the NHS, how many doses adults need, and how it works if you’re outside the NHS groups and want to arrange it privately.

This is general information, not a diagnosis or a personal recommendation. Whether the vaccine is right for you is confirmed at the appointment, after a suitability check.

The short answer

The NHS offers the HPV vaccine to all children aged 12 to 13 (school Year 8), plus catch-up for some young people up to their 25th birthday and for certain groups at higher risk.
If you’re outside those groups, you can have the vaccine privately at a pharmacy after a short suitability check, with no GP referral.
Most people under 25 need just one dose. The NHS says people aged 25 to 45 usually need two, and people with a weakened immune system need three.
It prevents infection, it doesn’t treat it. It won’t clear an HPV infection you already have, but it can still protect you against the types you haven’t met yet.
Keep going to cervical screening if you’re invited, vaccinated or not.

What HPV is, and why the vaccine matters

HPV (human papillomavirus) is the name for a very common group of viruses. The NHS is blunt about how common: most people will get some type of HPV in their life, it usually causes no symptoms at all, and the body normally clears it within about two years.

The problem is the minority of cases. Some high-risk types can cause changes to cells that may, years later, turn into cancer. The NHS links high-risk HPV to cervical, anal, penile, vulval and vaginal cancers, and some head and neck cancers. Other types cause genital warts.

HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, as well as through vaginal, anal or oral sex. That’s why condoms help but don’t give full protection, and why the vaccine does so much of the heavy lifting. It isn’t a vaccine for “risky” people. It’s a vaccine for anyone who is, or will be, sexually active.

Who gets the HPV vaccine free on the NHS?

Children aged 12 to 13

All children in school Year 8 are offered the HPV vaccine, girls and boys alike, usually at school.

Young people who missed it at school

If you missed it at 12 or 13, the NHS still offers it free until your 25th birthday if you are:

a girl or young woman aged 24 or under, or
a boy or young man born after 1 September 2006, aged 24 or under

That birth date is the one that catches people out. Boys were only added to the school programme in September 2019, so most men who are now about 20 or older were never offered it at school, and aren’t covered by the NHS catch-up either. If you think you’re eligible, the NHS advises contacting your school nurse, school vaccination team or GP surgery.

Men who have sex with men, and other higher-risk groups

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men can get the vaccine free through sexual health or HIV clinics, up to their 46th birthday. The NHS also lists some other groups at higher risk who may be offered it, including some transgender people, sex workers and people living with HIV.

Not covered? What private HPV vaccination involves

If you’re over 25 and weren’t in an NHS group, or you’re a man born before September 2006 who missed out, the NHS offer simply doesn’t reach you. That’s the gap private vaccination fills, and in our experience it’s the most common reason people come to us for it.

At a pharmacy, it goes like this:

A short consultation comes first. The pharmacist checks your age, your health, any medicines you take and your vaccine history, including any HPV doses you had at school. Bring what records you have, or check the NHS App before you come in.
The vaccine is given by a trained pharmacist, as a quick injection in the upper arm, in a private consultation room. There’s no GP referral and no separate prescription to collect.
The pharmacist confirms how many doses you need before you commit, and tells you exactly when to come back if a second dose is due.

We use the same nine-type vaccine as the NHS programme, so a private course isn’t a different product, just a different route to it. Current prices are on our HPV vaccination page.

How many doses do adults need?

The number of doses depends on your age when you start and how well your immune system works. The NHS guidance is:

under 25: usually 1 dose
aged 25 to 45: usually 2 doses, given between 6 months and 2 years apart
people with a weakened immune system: 3 doses

This is good news if you’re under 25. After reviewing the evidence, the UK’s vaccine advisers (JCVI) recommended a single dose for this age group, and the NHS switched to it in September 2023. For most under-25s, one appointment really is the whole course.

If you had one or two doses at school years ago, don’t assume you need to start again. UK guidance (the Green Book) says an interrupted course should be resumed, not repeated, and that someone who had one dose before turning 25 doesn’t need any more. Tell the pharmacist what you had, and they’ll work out whether you need anything at all. If you’ve already completed a full course, you don’t need another one.

Who shouldn’t have it, and what to expect afterwards

Most people can have the HPV vaccine. The NHS says the only people who can’t are those who’ve had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose or to an ingredient in the vaccine.

If you’re pregnant, the NHS says there’s no evidence the vaccine is harmful, but you may be advised to wait until after the pregnancy. You can have it while breastfeeding. If you have a high temperature or feel too unwell to do your normal activities on the day, it’s better to wait until you’re feeling better. Mention any of these when you book, and the pharmacist will talk it through with you.

Side effects are usually mild and short-lived. The NHS lists swelling or pain where the injection was given, a headache, a high temperature, dizziness, feeling sick and tiredness. Serious allergic reactions are very rare, and the pharmacist who vaccinates you is trained to treat them straight away.

Speak to a pharmacist or your GP if side effects are bothering you or aren’t settling, and call NHS 111 if you’re unwell and not sure what to do.

The vaccine doesn’t replace cervical screening

This is the point we make most often. The vaccine protects against the HPV types that cause most cervical cancers, but not all of them. So if you’re invited for cervical screening, keep going, whether or not you’ve been vaccinated. Screening is offered to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64, and it’s the thing that picks up cell changes early.

Common questions

Can I get the HPV vaccine after 25? Yes. The NHS catch-up stops at your 25th birthday for most people, but you can still be vaccinated privately. The NHS guidance for people aged 25 to 45 is usually two doses.

I’m a man in my late twenties. Why was I never offered it? Boys were only added to the school programme in September 2019, and the NHS catch-up only covers boys born after 1 September 2006. If you’re older than that and not in a higher-risk group seen by a sexual health clinic, private vaccination is the route.

I already have HPV. Is there any point? The vaccine won’t treat an infection you already have. But there are several high-risk types, and it’s unlikely you’ve met all of them, so it can still protect you against the ones you haven’t. The pharmacist can talk this through at your consultation.

I had part of the course at school. Do I start again? No. UK guidance says a course should be resumed rather than repeated, and if you had one dose before your 25th birthday you don’t need any more. Tell the pharmacist which doses you had and roughly when, and they’ll confirm.

Is it the same vaccine the NHS uses? Yes. There’s one HPV vaccine given in the UK, and it’s the one we use.

Getting vaccinated in Oxford

HPV vaccination runs at all four of our branches, usually with same-day appointments, and the whole thing takes around 15 minutes. There’s always a pharmacist on duty, so if you’d rather ask a question before booking, just walk in:

MediPill Botley – 9 Westway Square, OX2 9TJ
Headington Pharmacy – 207 London Road, OX3 9JA
MediPill Summertown – 227 Banbury Road, OX2 7HQ
MediPill Deddington – The Studio, Hudson Street, OX15 0SW

For prices, dose schedules and booking, start at our HPV vaccination page. If you’re heading to university, it’s also worth reading our guide to the MenB vaccine for students, and our private vaccinations page covers the rest.

Prefer to ask first? Get in touch and a pharmacist will come back to you.

Sources

HPV vaccine – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hpv-vaccine/ (accessed 23 September 2026)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/ (accessed 23 September 2026)
Cervical screening – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/ (accessed 23 September 2026)
Human papillomavirus (HPV): the green book, chapter 18a – UK Health Security Agency. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/human-papillomavirus-hpv-the-green-book-chapter-18a (accessed 23 September 2026)