How many HPV vaccine doses do I need in Ireland?

NIAC recommends one dose if you are aged 9 to 24, and two doses if you are 25 or older. People who are immunocompromised need three doses at any age. Your prescription is written for the schedule that matches your age, so your pharmacy gives the right number.

Can I get the HPV vaccine free instead of paying?

Often yes. It is free in the second-level school programme, in the Laura Brennan catch-up programme for those who missed it, and through the public STI, PrEP and HIV clinic network — including for gbMSM up to and including age 45. It is not free in primary care, student health or private clinics.

I am 25 to 45 — does the June 2026 NIAC update apply to me?

It applies if you attend a women's health, sexual health or HIV service and your risk of HPV is increased. NIAC names examples such as some transgender individuals, some people living with HIV, and people in the sex industry. If that describes you, ask that service first — vaccination there is the funded route.

Is it still worth having if I am already sexually active?

It can be. The vaccine works best before exposure, and it does not treat an HPV infection, genital warts or an abnormal smear you already have. It does still protect against the vaccine types you have not encountered, which is why NIAC recommends it up to 45 in higher-risk groups.

Does the vaccine mean I can skip cervical screening?

No. Gardasil 9 covers nine HPV types but not every high-risk type. CervicalCheck offers free HPV screening to anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 65, and you should keep attending after vaccination.

Can I have it while pregnant or breastfeeding?

HPV vaccination is deferred in pregnancy. If you are pregnant or think you might be, wait until after the birth. If you are breastfeeding, the GP will discuss timing with you — tell us in the questionnaire so it is reviewed rather than assumed.

How much does the HPV vaccine cost in Ireland?

If you are eligible for a free HSE route, it costs nothing. Privately, NovaGP's GP review and prescription is a fixed €25, and the pharmacy charges separately for the vaccine and the appointment.

Up to what age can you get the HPV vaccine?

Gardasil 9 is licensed for people up to 45. Free HSE eligibility has its own age limits, which change over time, so check the current position with the HSE.

Is the HPV vaccine mandatory in Ireland?

No. It is strongly recommended and offered free in schools, but it is not mandatory. Parents give consent for school doses, and adults choose for themselves.

Is the HPV vaccine safe, and what are the side effects?

It is considered very safe and is closely monitored. Most side effects are mild, such as a sore arm, tiredness or a headache. Serious reactions are very rare.

Can boys and men get the HPV vaccine?

Yes. HPV can cause warts and several cancers in men, so the vaccine is offered to boys in the school programme, and adult men can be vaccinated privately with a prescription.

Where do I get the vaccine after my prescription?

Once the GP sends your prescription to your chosen pharmacy through Healthmail, you contact that pharmacy to book your appointment and get vaccinated there.

Is an online prescription properly regulated?

Yes. The Medical Council (IMC) regulates all doctors in Ireland, and its Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics applies whether care is given in person or online. NovaGP's GPs are Irish-registered, review each request themselves, and only prescribe when they have enough information to do so safely. You can check a doctor's registration on the Medical Council's public register at medicalcouncil.ie.

Clear vaccine vial and sterile syringe on white marble

Sexual health · €25 GP review

HPV vaccine prescription in Ireland, from an Irish-registered GP

Private Gardasil 9 prescription written to the NIAC schedule — one dose aged 9–24, two doses from 25. Reviewed by an Irish-registered GP — no appointment needed. A prescription is issued only if clinically appropriate.

Start smart prescription €25

A question about hpv vaccine (gardasil 9) prescription? Ask our team

All smart prescriptions

Last reviewed 3 November 2026NIAC HPV recommendations — 29 June 2026; Medical Council Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics — 9th edition

Get a prescription for the HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) online in Ireland for a fixed €25. An Irish-registered GP reviews your request and, where it is suitable, sends a prescription to your chosen pharmacy, so you can book your vaccination. The €25 covers the GP's review, not the vaccine itself, and a prescription is never guaranteed. We follow the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) schedule: a single dose for ages 9–24, two doses from 25, and three doses for people with a weak immune system. If you are eligible for the free HSE vaccine, that is the best route and it costs nothing.

What it costs

€25 for the GP review and prescription. The vaccine itself and the administration fee are charged separately by your pharmacy or clinic. Refunded in full if the GP decides it is not appropriate to prescribe.

How quickly

Reviewed the same working day for requests submitted before 5pm, Monday to Friday. Weekend requests are reviewed the next working day.

Start smart prescription €25 Book GP Consult €39

Who this is suitable for

You are living in Ireland and not eligible for a free HSE-funded dose (see the guidance below)
You missed the school programme, or you are starting or completing a course privately
You know how many previous doses you had, and roughly when
You have somewhere to have it given — a vaccinating pharmacy or clinic
You are aged 9–24 (single dose) or 25 and over (two-dose course)

You are pregnant — HPV vaccination is deferred until after pregnancy
You had a severe allergic reaction to a previous HPV dose or to a vaccine component, including yeast
You are unwell with a fever today — vaccination is deferred until you recover
You want the vaccine to treat an existing HPV infection, genital warts or an abnormal smear — it does not treat these
You are immunocompromised and need the three-dose schedule assessed properly — book a consultation instead

What your €25 covers

GP review of your age, previous doses and any contraindications
A private prescription for Gardasil 9 (HPV9) with the correct NIAC dose schedule for your age
Clear dose timing written on the prescription so your pharmacy knows when to recall you
A signpost to the free HSE route if your answers suggest you qualify for one
A written note in your patient record you can download at any time

What we'll ask you

13 short questions, most of them yes or no. Your answers go straight to the reviewing GP.

Your age
How many HPV vaccine doses have you already had?
Were you offered the vaccine through the school programme?
Do you attend a public STI, PrEP, HIV, sexual health or women's health service, where HPV vaccine may be free to you?
Where will the vaccine be given?
Any allergy to yeast, or a severe reaction to a previous vaccine dose?
Are you currently unwell with a fever?
Do you have a condition or take medicine that weakens your immune system?
Are you pregnant or could you be?
Are you breastfeeding?
Have you fainted with an injection before?
List any drug allergies (or type 'none')
Medicines you currently take (or type 'none')

When we'll say no

These answers stop the request and route you to a consultation instead.

A previous severe vaccine reaction or yeast allergy needs review before further doses.
Vaccination should be deferred until you are well.
NIAC recommends a three-dose HPV schedule for immunocompromised people at any age — this needs a consultation to plan properly.
HPV vaccination is deferred until after pregnancy.

What is the HPV vaccine, and what does it protect against?

HPV stands for human papillomavirus, a very common virus spread by skin-to-skin contact. Most people clear it without problems, but some types can lead to cancer later in life. The HPV vaccine teaches your immune system to fight these types before they can cause harm.

The vaccine used in Ireland is Gardasil 9. It protects against nine types of HPV, including the main types that cause cervical cancer, as well as some cancers of the throat, anus and genitals, and most genital warts. It works best when given before any exposure to the virus, which is why it is offered to young people, but it can still help many adults.

Who can get the HPV vaccine in Ireland?

The HPV vaccine is recommended for both girls and boys, and it is licensed for people up to the age of 45. In Ireland there are two main routes.

Being older does not always mean the vaccine is not worth it. The benefit can be lower if you have already been exposed to some HPV types, but many adults still choose to protect themselves against the types they have not met. A GP can talk this through with you.

Free, through the HSE: first-year secondary school students, girls and boys, are offered the vaccine free of charge. The Laura Brennan HPV Vaccine Catch-Up Programme offers free doses to others who missed theirs, within set age limits. Eligibility changes over time, so check the current position with the HSE.
Privately, with a prescription: adults and others who are not covered by a free programme can choose to get the vaccine privately. This is where NovaGP can help, with a GP review and prescription.

How NovaGP's HPV vaccine prescription works, and what it costs

Complete a short, secure health questionnaire. An Irish-registered GP checks that the HPV vaccine is suitable for you and, where it is appropriate, sends a prescription to your chosen pharmacy through Healthmail, the secure national service used by Irish GPs and pharmacies. You then contact the pharmacy, pay for the vaccine and the appointment, and get vaccinated there.

The NovaGP GP review and prescription is a fixed €25. The vaccine and appointment are charged separately by the pharmacy that gives it. A prescription is never guaranteed, and if the GP cannot safely issue one, the €25 is refunded in full.

How many doses do you need?

The number of doses depends on your age, following the current National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) schedule. Your GP will confirm the schedule for you and write it on the prescription.

Aged 9 to 24: a single dose.
Aged 25 and older: two doses.
People with a weak immune system: three doses, at any age.

Side effects and safety (HSE guidance)

The HSE explains that the HPV vaccine is very safe and has been given to millions of people worldwide. Side effects are usually mild and pass within a day or two.

Common: soreness, redness or swelling where the injection was given, headache, mild fever or feeling sick.
Fainting can happen with any injection, especially in teenagers, so you are asked to sit down for 15 minutes afterwards.
Serious allergic reactions are very rare. Vaccinators are trained to treat them straight away.
Report any suspected side effect to the HPRA, the Irish medicines regulator.

Who stands behind the prescription? The Medical Council (IMC)

The Medical Council — often called the IMC, for the Irish Medical Council — is the regulatory body for doctors in Ireland. Its job is to protect the public by making sure every doctor practising here meets the same professional standards, whether they work in a local surgery or through a phone or video service.

The GP who reviews your request is registered with the Medical Council. The Council's Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics (9th edition) is clear that telemedicine does not lower a doctor's obligations: the care you receive online must meet the same standard as a face-to-face visit, and a doctor can only prescribe when they have enough information to do so safely.

That is also why a prescription is never guaranteed. If the GP cannot safely issue an HPV prescription from your answers — for example because your history needs a fuller review — they will decline it, point you to a consultation or another service, and refund your €25 in full.

You can check any doctor's registration yourself on the Medical Council's public register at medicalcouncil.ie.

Free HSE vaccine or a private prescription: which route?

Feature	Free HSE vaccine	NovaGP private prescription
Who it is for	First-year students, and others eligible for a free HSE route	Adults and others not covered by a free programme
Cost	Free	€25 for the GP review, plus the pharmacy's charge for the vaccine
How you get it	Through school or an HSE clinic	A GP reviews your request online and sends a prescription to your pharmacy
Where you are vaccinated	School or HSE clinic	A pharmacy that provides the HPV vaccine

If you qualify for the free HSE vaccine, that is the best and cheapest option. NovaGP's paid route is for people outside those programmes who want to arrange the vaccine privately.

What the national guidance says (NIAC, 29 June 2026)

Dose schedule: NIAC recommends a single dose of HPV vaccine for those aged 9–24 years, two doses for those aged 25 years and older, and three doses for immunocompromised people regardless of age. These numbers differ from the product SmPC.
Gardasil 9 (HPV9) protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. Over 90% of cervical cancer is caused by HPV.
On 29 June 2026 NIAC extended its recommendation: HPV9 vaccination is now recommended for individuals aged 25–45 years attending women's health, sexual health or HIV services whose populations are at increased risk of HPV. Risk assessment should consider previous HPV exposure, future risk of exposure, and access to cervical screening.
Examples NIAC gives of increased-risk populations include some transgender individuals, some people living with HIV, and people in the sex industry. This sits alongside the existing recommendation for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) aged up to and including 45 years.
The 2026 protocol document sets out how NIAC reviewed the evidence for cis women in the sex industry up to 45 years of age, following a May 2025 request from the HSE Women's Health Service and Anti-Human Trafficking Team.
Free of charge routes: HPV vaccine is available free through the public STI, PrEP and HIV clinic network, and to eligible people through the school and Laura Brennan catch-up programmes. It is not free within primary care, student health, or private STI and PrEP services — which is why a private prescription exists at all.
The vaccine works best before exposure to HPV. If you are already sexually active, it has not been shown to treat existing HPV infection or cervical lesions — it still prevents the types you have not yet met.
HPV vaccination does not replace cervical screening. CervicalCheck offers free HPV-based screening to anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 65.

Common questions

How many HPV vaccine doses do I need in Ireland?: NIAC recommends one dose if you are aged 9 to 24, and two doses if you are 25 or older. People who are immunocompromised need three doses at any age. Your prescription is written for the schedule that matches your age, so your pharmacy gives the right number.
Can I get the HPV vaccine free instead of paying?: Often yes. It is free in the second-level school programme, in the Laura Brennan catch-up programme for those who missed it, and through the public STI, PrEP and HIV clinic network — including for gbMSM up to and including age 45. It is not free in primary care, student health or private clinics.
I am 25 to 45 — does the June 2026 NIAC update apply to me?: It applies if you attend a women's health, sexual health or HIV service and your risk of HPV is increased. NIAC names examples such as some transgender individuals, some people living with HIV, and people in the sex industry. If that describes you, ask that service first — vaccination there is the funded route.
Is it still worth having if I am already sexually active?: It can be. The vaccine works best before exposure, and it does not treat an HPV infection, genital warts or an abnormal smear you already have. It does still protect against the vaccine types you have not encountered, which is why NIAC recommends it up to 45 in higher-risk groups.
Does the vaccine mean I can skip cervical screening?: No. Gardasil 9 covers nine HPV types but not every high-risk type. CervicalCheck offers free HPV screening to anyone with a cervix aged 25 to 65, and you should keep attending after vaccination.
Can I have it while pregnant or breastfeeding?: HPV vaccination is deferred in pregnancy. If you are pregnant or think you might be, wait until after the birth. If you are breastfeeding, the GP will discuss timing with you — tell us in the questionnaire so it is reviewed rather than assumed.
How much does the HPV vaccine cost in Ireland?: If you are eligible for a free HSE route, it costs nothing. Privately, NovaGP's GP review and prescription is a fixed €25, and the pharmacy charges separately for the vaccine and the appointment.
Up to what age can you get the HPV vaccine?: Gardasil 9 is licensed for people up to 45. Free HSE eligibility has its own age limits, which change over time, so check the current position with the HSE.
Is the HPV vaccine mandatory in Ireland?: No. It is strongly recommended and offered free in schools, but it is not mandatory. Parents give consent for school doses, and adults choose for themselves.
Is the HPV vaccine safe, and what are the side effects?: It is considered very safe and is closely monitored. Most side effects are mild, such as a sore arm, tiredness or a headache. Serious reactions are very rare.
Can boys and men get the HPV vaccine?: Yes. HPV can cause warts and several cancers in men, so the vaccine is offered to boys in the school programme, and adult men can be vaccinated privately with a prescription.
Where do I get the vaccine after my prescription?: Once the GP sends your prescription to your chosen pharmacy through Healthmail, you contact that pharmacy to book your appointment and get vaccinated there.
Which HPV vaccine is used in Ireland?: The vaccine used in Ireland is Gardasil 9, which protects against nine types of HPV, including the main cancer-causing types and most genital warts.
Is an online prescription properly regulated?: Yes. The Medical Council (IMC) regulates all doctors in Ireland, and its Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics applies whether care is given in person or online. NovaGP's GPs are Irish-registered, review each request themselves, and only prescribe when they have enough information to do so safely. You can check a doctor's registration on the Medical Council's public register at medicalcouncil.ie.

Sources

Updated HPV vaccination recommendations for individuals aged 25–45 years attending women's health services, sexual health services or HIV servicesNational Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), hosted by HIQA — 29 June 2026
Protocol: Evidence summary to inform a recommendation for HPV vaccination of cis women in the sex industry up to 45 years of ageNational Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), hosted by HIQA — 29 June 2026
Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland, Chapter 10: Human PapillomavirusNational Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) — Last updated June 2023
Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners (9th edition)Medical Council of Ireland — 9th edition, November 2023

Start your hpv vaccine (gardasil 9) prescription request

€25, reviewed by an Irish-registered GP. If it isn't clinically appropriate, the GP declines and you are refunded in full.

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