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HPV Immunisation
HPV immunisation is free for ages 9 to 26. It’s provided through most schools in Year 7 or Year 8, and is also available from your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider. HPV immunisation helps protect your tamariki against a number of cancers later in life.
What it protects you from
The vaccine protects against human papillomavirus – a group of very common viruses that infect about 4 out of 5 people at some time in their lives. It’s passed on through intimate skin-on-skin contact.
Most of the time you would not know that you have an HPV infection, and they often go away on their own. But sometimes they hang around and can lead to a range of cancers later in life.
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer caused by HPV. The virus can also cause head and neck cancer, and cancer in other parts of the body. About a third of all HPV cancers affect men. HPV can also cause genital warts.
For more information on cervical screening, including the new HPV screening test, visit the Time to Screen website.
The vaccine is very effective
The vaccine is very effective in preventing infection from the 9 types of HPV.
As HPV is common, the best way to protect your tamariki against HPV is to get them immunised.
The vaccine is very effective
The vaccine is very effective in preventing infection from the 9 types of HPV.
As HPV is common, the best way to protect your tamariki against HPV is to get them immunised.
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When it’s given
The HPV vaccine is free for those aged 9 to 26 years old.
Lots of tamariki are offered the HPV vaccine at school, usually in Year 7 or 8. This is the best time for immunisation, as a pre-teen’s immune system is really effective at making antibodies in response to the vaccine and protection is long-lasting.
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Tamariki aged 9 to 14 years old need 2 doses. The second dose is given at least 6 months after the first dose.
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Rangatahi (young people) from age 15 years old need 3 doses. These are given over 6 months.
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School-based immunisations
Public Health teams visit participating schools to immunise students usually in Year 7 or Year 8. Information and consent forms will be provided by your child’s school.
If your tamariki has missed a school vaccination, contact your school to see if there is a catch-up vaccination day.
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Immunisations outside of school
If your school is not offering HPV immunisation, or your child has missed out for any other reason, they can easily catch up with a visit to your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider.
This is also an option if you would like to be with your tamariki when they get their vaccination.