HPV vaccine

Also called human papilloma virus vaccine

Key points about HPV vaccine

The HPV vaccine protects against a virus that causes several cancers that can affect anyone.
HPV vaccine is also called Gardasil.
Find out about the vaccine and possible side effects.

HPV vaccine helps protect against a virus that causes several cancers that can affect anyone. These include cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina and anus in women, or cancers of the anus and penis in men, and possibly throat cancers for both men and women. The vaccine is also effective at preventing genital warts.

The vaccine works by causing your body’s immune system to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the HPV types most likely to cause cancer or genital warts.
If an immunised person comes into contact with HPV, the antibodies in their blood will fight the virus and protect them against being infected.
It usually takes several weeks after vaccination to develop protection against HPV.

Protection from the vaccine is long-lasting and is not expected to wear off over time.

In New Zealand, the HPV vaccine is available free for everyone aged 9–26 years.

It is recommended to be given to children aged 11–12 years.
For children aged 9–14 years, the HPV vaccine is given as 2 doses, at least 5 months apart. This age group develops a stronger immune response than those vaccinated when they are older.
People aged 15 years and older will need 3 doses of the vaccine, spaced over 6 months.
Each dose is given as an injection into the muscle of your arm or leg.

Children are offered the vaccine at most schools, usually in Year 7 or 8.

(Te Whatu Ora, NZ, 2023)

People aged 27 years or older may still benefit from receiving a course of 3 HPV vaccine doses. If you have not started the course by age 27, you need to buy the vaccine doses through your family doctor or Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa Clinic.

The HPV vaccine is recommended in people aged 27 years and older who:

have had little previous exposure to HPV and are now likely to be exposed
are men who have sex with men
have HIV.

The use of the HPV vaccine is not recommended for the following people:

Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to yeast (one of the components of the vaccine) or to the vaccine previously.
Pregnant women should delay being vaccinated until after pregnancy. The safety of the vaccine in pregnancy is unknown.
If you have a fever or illness at the time of vaccination, let your doctor or nurse know before they give the vaccination.

Like all medicines, the HPV vaccine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Side effects	What should I do?
Pain, swelling or redness around the injection site	This is quite common after having the vaccination. It usually starts a few hours after getting the injection and settles within a few days. Place a cold, wet cloth or ice pack where the injection was given. Leave it on for a short time. Don't rub the injection site Tell your doctor if troublesome. Read more After your immunisation(external link)
Fever	This is quite common for the first 1 or 2 days after receiving the injection and usually settles within a few days. Dress lightly, with a single layer of clothing. Don't wrap your child in a blanket. Keep the room cool and use a fan. Drink plenty of fluids. The routine use of paracetamol is not recommended following vaccinations, but may be used if your child is miserable or distressed. Tell your doctor if the fever persists. Read more After your immunisation(external link)
Headache Nausea (feeling sick)	These are quite common for the first 1 or 2 days after receiving the injection. It usually settles within a few days. Rest and drink plenty of fluids. The routine use of paracetamol is not recommended following vaccinations, but may be used for relief of severe discomfort. Tell your doctor if troublesome. Read more After your immunisation(external link)
Fainting	This is more common in adolescent girls. To prevent fainting-related injuries, you should sit or lie down during HPV vaccination.
Signs of an allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, blisters, peeling skin, swelling of your face, lips or mouth, or problems breathing	Allergic reactions to HPV vaccine are very rare. You will be asked to wait for 20 minutes after the vaccination to ensure there is no immediate allergic reaction. If you develop these signs within a few days of the vaccination, tell your doctor immediately or phone Healthline 0800 611 116.
Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.

The HPV vaccine is usually given in schools but vaccines can be given by your nurse, doctor, healthcare provider, and some pharmacies. Find a provider near you on the Healthpoint(external link) website by entering your address.

If you're eligible for a free vaccination, there won't be a cost for the vaccine, but there may be an administration fee.
If you're not eligible to get a free vaccination, you will need to pay.

Vaccines on the National Immunisation Schedule are free. Other vaccines are funded only for people at particular risk of disease. You can choose to pay for vaccines that you're not eligible to receive for free.

HPV
HPV testing

The following links have more information on HPV vaccine.

Gardasil 9 Questions and Answers(external link) Medsafe, NZ
Immunise against HPV(external link) HealthEd, NZ, 2023
Human papillomavirus(external link) The Immunisation Advisory Centre, NZ
Gardasil(external link) Medsafe Consumer Information, NZ
Preventing HPV cancers by vaccination(external link) The New Zealand HPV Project, 2017