What is the HPV vaccine?
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against nine types of HPV that are responsible for most HPV-related cancers and diseases.
The HPV vaccine provides fully vaccinated people with protection against nine types of HPV, including:
- Types 16 and 18: these are the two types of HPV that cause most HPV-related cancers.
- The five next most common HPV types associated with cervical cancer (types 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58).
- Two non-cancer-causing HPV types (types 6 and 11), which cause 90 per cent of genital warts.
How does the HPV vaccine work?
The vaccine is made from tiny proteins that look like the outside of a real HPV cell. When the HPV vaccine is given, your body makes antibodies, which are small proteins that fight against disease. This means when you are exposed to HPV, the same antibodies prevent you from getting an HPV infection.
The vaccine does not contain any live virus, killed virus or DNA from the virus so it cannot cause cancer or other HPV-related diseases.
You can read more about what the HPV vaccine contains.
Watch this video to learn more about how the vaccine works.
Is the HPV vaccine safe?
The HPV vaccine is safe and rigorously tested.
The HPV vaccine has been offered under Australia’s National Immunisation Program since 2007 and the use of the HPV vaccine has never been stopped or suspended in Australia.
Read the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance’s (NCIRS) Position Statement about the safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine.
Learn more about the safety and side effects of the HPV vaccine.
How effective is the HPV vaccine?
The Gardasil®9 HPV vaccine is highly effective. Protection is long lasting.
It provides almost 100 per cent protection from nine HPV types (types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58) that cause most HPV related cancers and diseases if it is given before you are exposed to these types of HPV.
The HPV vaccine is more effective when given at a younger age and before exposure to the virus. Research shows that younger children create more antibodies when given the vaccine than older children do.
The HPV vaccine has greatly reduced the number of HPV infections, genital warts and pre-cancer of the cervix in Australia.
The HPV vaccine does not protect against ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, uterine cancer, other sexually transmitted diseases or prevent pregnancy.
About HPV and cancer
Who should have the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is free and recommended for all Australians aged between 12 and 25 years of age under the National Immunisation Program.
The HPV vaccine is offered to all Australian children aged about 12-13 for free through the Secondary School Immunisation Program.
The HPV vaccine is also recommended for people at higher risk of developing HPV-related diseases, such as:
- people living with HIV
- significantly immunocompromised groups
- men who have sex with men.
Speak to your doctor or immunisation provider to find out more.
If you are aged over 26 and wish to have the HPV vaccine speak to your doctor and seek their advice.
If you’ve moved to Australia after the age of 12 or 13 and aren’t sure if you’ve been vaccinated against HPV, you can check your vaccination status with your home country's relevant immunisation service or health department.
How to get the HPV vaccine
When should I have the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine works best if it’s given before exposure to HPV – that is, before a person becomes sexually active.
The HPV vaccine is most effective when given to children between 9 and 14 because at this age you create more antibodies to the vaccine compared with children in their late teens. That’s why the HPV vaccine is offered to all Australian children aged about 12-13 through the Secondary School Immunisation Program as part of the National Immunisation Program.
Some people who are immunocompromised may be recommended by their doctor to have the HPV vaccine at an earlier age.
Can I still get the HPV vaccine if I'm 26 or over?
HPV vaccination is not routinely recommended for people aged 26 and over. This is because the HPV vaccine works better when given at a younger age, and the benefit of having it tends to decrease as you get older.
Some people may be recommended to have the HPV vaccine, even if they are aged 26 and over (for example, immunocompromised populations, men who have sex with men). To find out if you should have the HPV vaccine after age 26, speak to a doctor or an immunisation provider.
Who shouldn’t have the HPV vaccine?
You shouldn’t have the HPV vaccine if you:
- have a yeast allergy
- are pregnant (however research has shown no significant effect on you or your baby if you receive the vaccine and later find out you are pregnant)
- have a bleeding disorder
- have had anaphylaxis (serious allergy) to a previous dose of the HPV vaccine or any of the vaccine ingredients.
Parents should note reactions to any previous vaccination or medicine on the consent form when they return it to their child's school.
If you're having the vaccine, make sure you tell the person giving you the injection about any reactions you've had to vaccines or medicine before.
How many doses of the HPV vaccine are needed?
People aged between 9 and 25 living in Australia need to have one dose of the HPV vaccine unless they are immunocompromised.
Immunocompromised people – including those living with HIV – may need three doses of the HPV vaccine. If you are 26 and over and are recommended to have the HPV vaccine you will need three doses given over a six-month period. Talk to your immunisation provider to find out more.
Can I delay the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine works best if it’s given before exposure to HPV and is most effective when given to children at a younger age. This is because younger people create more antibodies to the vaccine than children aged in their late teens.
Therefore, it’s recommended to have the HPV vaccine when you are offered it at school and to catch-up on getting the HPV vaccine as soon as you can if you have missed getting it.
How can I catch up if I’ve missed getting the HPV vaccine?
If you missed getting the HPV vaccine in school, you can catch up for free until you turn 26 by seeing your local doctor, immunisation provider or at some pharmacies. After you turn 26, you will need to pay for the vaccine.
Learn more about how to catch up on a missed vaccine.