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Get your child vaccinated against HPV

The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a common virus that affects both men and women and is transmitted through sexual contact. It’s a virus that can stay in the body and alter cells that may lead to HPV-related cancers and disease.

HPV has been shown to cause penile, anal, cervical, vulval and vaginal cancers, as well as genital warts.

In Australia there is a national school-based HPV vaccination programme provided by the National Immunisation Program. This initiative provides the HPV vaccine to both male and female school children between the ages of 12 and 13. 

Gardasil is the type of vaccine used in the school-based National HPV Vaccination Program, while another vaccine, Cervarix, is also available. Cervarix protects against the same two high-risk HPV types but excludes protection against the low-risk HPV types that cause genital warts.

According to the Cancer Council of Australia, the vaccine doesn't contain any live virus, killed virus or DNA from the virus, so it cannot cause cancer or other HPV-related illnesses. However, it has been shown to provide almost 100% protection from HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, and this protection is believed to be long-lasting.

Who should receive the vaccine?

• Girls and boys aged 12 and 13 years old are eligible for the vaccine.
• The HPV vaccine protects both men and women from HPV-related cancers. Vaccinating men helps provide additional protection to women from cervical cancer by helping reduce the spread of HPV.

Who shouldn't receive the vaccine?

• Anyone who has had a serious allergic reaction to a previous HPV vaccine, yeast or any other vaccine component.
• Pregnant women.

How the vaccine works

• The vaccine is given via an injection in the arm in three doses over a six-month period.
• It provides protection against HPV-related cancers and disease.
• All three doses are necessary to provide the best protection.
• The school-based programme is free for girls and boys between 12 and 13 years of age.


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