Factsheet

HPV Vaccination

Date   17 January 2008

WHAT IS HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV)?

HPV is a virus that can cause genital warts and cervical (neck of the womb) cancer. There are more than 200 types of HPV, which is also known as 'wart virus'.

We now know that there are different types of these viruses. Some may cause cervical cancer (called high risk HPV) and some may cause genital warts. The types that cause genital warts are called low risk HPV because they are a low risk for causing cervical cancer.

HOW DO YOU GET HPV?

Almost all HPV is sexually transmitted. A tiny proportion is passed on from mother to child at birth. Most people are infected with HPV at the time they start to have sex. HPV is transmitted through microscopic damage to the skin and while condoms protect against many sexually transmissible infections (STIs), they are not as effective against HPV.

HOW COMMON IS HPV?

It is extremely common; up to 80% of people will be infected with HPV at some time in their lives. Research studies show that the highest rates of infection are in people aged between 18 and 28 and the infection lasts for around 10 months before the immune system clears (gets rid of) it. This transient infection with HPV does not generally develop into cervical cancer.

In some people the immune system does not clear the virus successfully and if they still have the infection at age 30 they are said to have a 'persistent' infection. It is the women who have a persistent infection who are more likely to develop cervical cancer.

DOES VACCINATION AGAINST HPV PROTECT AGAINST CERVICAL CANCER?

Recent Australian medical research has led to the development of vaccines against the most common high risk HPV types (HPV 16 and HPV 18) one or both of which are found in 70% of cervical cancers.

Vaccination is also available against two of the low risk type HPVs (HPV 6 and HPV 11), one or both of which are found in genital warts in 90% of cases.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VACCINE?

A vaccine called Gardasil® was licensed in August 2006 and is available from your doctor. This vaccine protects against HPV types 6,11,16,18. Another vaccine called Cervarix® was licensed in 2007. It protects against HPV types 16,18.

The vaccines are both safe and well tolerated. The most common side effects are pain, redness and swelling at the injection site.

To be fully protected against the HPV types in the vaccine, you must have three injections over 6 months

WHO SHOULD BE VACCINATED?

The best time to have the vaccination is before a person is infected with HPV, which means BEFORE their first experience of sexual intercourse (suggested age 10-15 years).

The vaccine is safe to give to people who are already having sex, but they are likely to already be infected with HPV. Note that testing for the presence of HPV infection is not recommended except where women have previously been treated for high-grade cervical pre-cancer.

DOES VACCINATION MEAN NO MORE PAP TESTS?

Women, whether they have been vaccinated or not, should continue to take part in the National Cervical Screening Program and have their Pap tests at the recommended screening times.

NATIONAL IMMUNISATION PROGRAM

The Commonwealth Government has funded a National Immunisation Program.

This program will be available to:

• 12-13 year old girls: a school based program to be delivered in the first year at high school (ongoing)
• 13-18 year old girls: mainly school based program (catch up program)
• 18- 26 year old women: general practitioners (catch up program).

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For further information

Contact the Healthline on 1300 658 886.