Older children and young adult vaccinations

HPV is a very common, sexually transmitted virus which can cause different types of cancers and genital warts. Most people usually have no symptoms and will not know they're infected. 

Having the HPV vaccine is important to prevent a range of cancers in later life, including:

• cervical cancer
• anal cancer
• genital cancers
• cancers of the head and neck 

Getting the vaccine now protects you against future risks.

From September 2023, the HPV vaccine will be offered as one dose to both boys and girls:

• aged 12 to 13 years old (school year 8)

In the past, the HPV vaccine has been offered as two doses. Expert evidence now shows one dose provides young people with the same level of protection as the previous two doses. From September 2023, if you have received one dose of HPV vaccine, you are fully vaccinated against HPV and will not need any additional doses.

If you or your child missed their HPV vaccination at school, you can still have the vaccine up to your 25th birthday. Please speak to your school’s immunisation team or healthcare professional to arrange this. 

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are eligible for the HPV vaccine up to the age of 45 years old. Ask your GP or a healthcare professional at a sexual health clinic for more information.  

More information about the HPV vaccine is available on the Public Health Wales website. 
 

The Td/IPV vaccine, also known as the 3 in 1 teenage booster, helps to boost protection against three separate diseases:

• tetanus
• diphtheria
• polio 

Teenagers aged 13 to 14 are offered the vaccine as part of their routine immunisations.

Speak to your healthcare professional if you or your child has missed any of the doses given as part of the 6 in 1 vaccine or 4 in 1 vaccine.

You can find more information about the 3 in 1 teenage booster and the diseases it protects against on the Public Health Wales website.

Meningococcal Group B (Men B) is the most common cause of invasive meningococcal disease in the UK. Although rare, this disease can cause meningitis and sepsis, both of which can develop rapidly and become life-threatening.

Each year there are cases of MenB reported across the UK and Wales. Clusters and outbreaks usually occur in environments where young people mix closely, for example nightclubs and university halls. In March 2026 there was an unprecedented outbreak of Men B primarily among University of Kent students and recently there have been reports of unseasonal clusters elsewhere in the UK.

A time limited MenB vaccination programme will be introduced across all UK Nations from July 2026, which will run until December 2026. In Wales this will be delivered by health boards from 20 July.

The aim of this programme will be to protect those at highest risk. These are:

• all individuals born between 01/09/2007 and 31/08/2008 (17 to 18 years old)
• anyone aged less than 25 years (individuals born on or after 21/07/2001) and attending higher education or residential further education for the first time from autumn 2026, including international students and those from the UK Devolved Administrations and Crown Dependencies.

The vaccine is being offered in a two-dose programme. Those aged between 17 and 18 will receive an invitation letter from their health board from 6 July 2026 providing details of how to get their vaccine. Those aged less than 25 years (individuals born on or after 21/07/2001) who will be entering higher education or residential further education for the first time this autumn, including international students, will need to contact their local health board after 20 July 2026 to find out more information. More information about the programme can be found on Public Health Wales.

A list of higher education and residential further education establishments across Wales is below.

List of Higher Education establishments in Wales:

• Aberystwyth University
• Bangor University
• Cardiff University
• Cardiff Metropolitan University 
• Swansea University
• University of South Wales (Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd)
• University of Wales Trinity Saint David (Lampeter, Swansea, and Carmarthen)
• Wrexham University

List of further education establishments with residential provision in Wales:

• Atlantic College (Vale of Glamorgan)
• Beechwood College (Vale of Glamorgan)
• Bevan College (Bridgend)
• Cambian Pengwern College (Rhuddlan, Denbighshire)
• Coleg Cambria (Llysfasi campus Wrexham)
• Coleg Elidyr (near Llandovery, Carmarthenshire)
• Coleg Plas Dwbl (Clynderwen, Pembrokeshire)
• Gower College (Swansea)
• Grŵp Llandrillo Menai (Glynllifon campus)

In recent years, cases of meningitis and septicaemia due to Men W have been increasing in Wales. Most people with meningococcal disease make a full recovery, but Men W infections are particularly severe. They can be fatal and result in long term health problems. 

The MenACWY vaccine provides good protection against serious infections caused by Meningococcal (Men) A, C, W and Y diseases. The MenACWY vaccine does not protect against the meningococcal group B (MenB) strain of the disease.

The MenACWY vaccination is offered to:

• teenagers aged 13 to 14 years old, as part of their routine vaccinations
• individuals under 25 who are planning to attend university, if they have not already received the vaccine 

If you or your child have not yet received the vaccine, speak to your healthcare professional to arrange it now.

Further information is available through Public Health Wales.

Flu is a virus that can lead to serious illnesses and death. There are flu outbreaks most winters and the virus is constantly changing. Each year, flu vaccines are changed to match the flu viruses circulating that year, so that people get the best protection.

Each year, the flu vaccination is offered to children aged 2 to 16. This includes: 

• all children in secondary school years 7 to 11

Flu vaccinations are given between September and March. If you or your child missed the vaccine, contact the school nurse or GP surgery.

Children not in school or home educated can have their flu vaccine from their GP surgery when they are due.
More information about the flu vaccine is available on the Public Health Wales website.