Human papilloma virus (HPV)

The 9vHPV (9-valent HPV) vaccine is on the Australian Immunisation Schedule and is recommended for:

  • adolescents aged 9–18 years
  • people with significant immunocompromising conditions (except for asplenia or hyposplenia)
  • men who have sex with men

The disease

HPV stands for human papillomavirus. Up to 90% of the general population (men and women) will be infected with at least 1 genital type of HPV at some time in their lives. The infection often causes no symptoms and goes away by itself, but can sometimes cause persist in the body and lead to serious illness. HPV is responsible for:

  • almost all cases of genital warts and cervical cancer
  • 90% of anal cancers
  • 65% of vaginal cancers
  • 50% of vulva cancers
  • 35% of penile cancers
  • 60% of oropharyngeal cancers (cancers of the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils).

 

The vaccine

The recommended schedule for adolescents aged 9–14 years is 2 doses, with a 6–12-month interval between doses.

The recommended schedule for people aged ≥15 years is 3 doses, with an interval of 2 months between dose 1 and dose 2, and 6 months between dose 2 and dose 3.

The recommended schedule for people with significant immunocompromising conditions, regardless of age, is 3 doses, with an interval of 2 months between dose 1 and dose 2, and 6 months between dose 2 and dose 3.

For more information about HPV and the HPV vaccine, please see the following links;

Page reviewed November 2018.
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