HPV Vaccine and Cervical Screening

[Patience1]

I am not / never have been sexually active. My last cervical screen 6 months ago was normal. I've just had the HPV vaccine done privately. Is is safe to stop getting cervical screening, unless I start having sex?

[Dr Fiona McCarthy]

It is still recommended that you attend for your smears regularly even if you had the HPV vaccine,. The HPV vaccine in the UK only protects against 4 strains of HPV which are linked with cervical cancer -however, there are other types of HPV that can (less commonly) be responsible for cervical cancer. Therefore it is essential you continue with the screening programme.