HPV Vaccination
HPV, a prevalent virus, has the potential to induce cancer in individuals across all genders. In the absence of vaccination, approximately 80% of adults will experience an HPV infection during their lifetime. For the majority, this virus remains asymptomatic and benign, often going unnoticed. Its primary mode of transmission is through skin-to-skin contact during sexual interactions. Fortunately, vaccination against HPV infection has been accessible for an extended period and serves as a safeguard against HPV-related cancers.
The HPV Vaccination is free if you are 9 to 26 years old.
Book your appointment at a time and place that's convenient for you. Many of our pharmacies are open seven days a week, including some evenings.
What is HPV?
Human Papillomovirus (HPV) highly contagious viral infection that is transmitted through skin-to-skin, as well as sexual intercourse. It has the potential to cause genital warts and precancerous cell changes when infected with a low-risk serogroup, but has the capacity to cause cancers when infected through the oncogenic (cancerous) serogroups.
Without immunisation around 80% of adults will have an HPV infection at some point in their life. Generally, HPV infections present as genital warts however can be asymptomatic in some individuals, meaning they can be carriers on the virus without knowing. Upon repeated exposure to the oncogenic serogroups, if left undetected can lead to cancer, including cervical cancer, anal cancer, and cancers affecting the mouth, throat, vulva, vagina, and penis.
All adults are encouraged to be vaccinated against HPV but is especially important for women to vaccinated and undergo regular cervical smears or HPV screening.
Why should I get HPV Vaccination?
HPV vaccine, known as Gardasil 9 protects against the development of abnormal precancerous cells and cancers caused by the HPV virus. Gardasil protects against the 9 serogroups, which include the 4 that cause approximately 20% of cervical cancers.
The vaccine is part of the school-based immunisation programmes and is recommended for those ages 9 – 45 years of ages, however it is funded in pharmacy for those that are under the age of 27 years. It can also be funded for those that are in special groups if meeting the eligibility criteria, please speak to your pharmacist if you are wanting to be vaccinated with Gardasil 9.
