HPV (genital wart) virus infection has been shown to be the causative agent for cancer of the cervix. There are at least 40 strains of the virus, but 2 strains account for about 70% of cases of cervical cancer. Infection is by skin to skin contact – it is thought that about 80 % of women will be infected with some form of wart virus. In most cases the infected persons body will eradicate the virus – however in some instances the infection persists and after a number of years cervical cancer can develop. Visible ‘warts’ are absent in most infections and there is no visible evidence of the infection.
Gardasil® is a new vaccine which protects against 4 strains of the virus, but, importantly, it protects against the strains which cause 70% of the cancers. Since the vaccine covers only 70% of the potential cervical cancer causing HPV infections, women must still have regular Cervical screening even though they have been immunised. The Gardasil Vaccine is not a live virus and reactions are uncommon – most frequent being minor injection site pain, headache, fever or nausea, however, the vaccine has not been proven to be effective nor shown to be safe in women over 26.
From the 1st January 2018 the gardasil vaccination will be replaced by the new Gardasil®9 vaccination. This will offer protection to 5 additional cancer causing strains of HPV virus (Strains 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58).
Gardasil®9 vaccine is free under the School Immunisation Program. 1 dose is now recommended.
For people who are immunocompromised a 3nd dose is required.
In South Australia the school program in 2023 will offer Gardasil vaccination to years 7 & 8 students and from 2024 it will be year 7 only.
A catch up program is funded for people less than 26 years of age
Those in the eligible age group who have already had genital warts or 'HPV infection' should still be vaccinated - because there are so many strains of the virus.
Gardasil® offers protection against four HPV types (6, 11, 16 and 18) and is recommended for men who have sex with men (MSM) who have not previously been vaccinated with one dose of HPV vaccine. Gardasil ® protects against the two high-risk HPV types (types 16 and 18), which cause 90% of all HPV-related cancers in men, it also protects against two low-risk HPV types (types 6 and 11), which cause 90% of genital warts.
Cevarix vaccine is on private script for females aged 10 to <46 years
Gardasil® is a new vaccine which protects against 4 strains of the virus, but, importantly, it protects against the strains which cause 70% of the cancers. Since the vaccine covers only 70% of the potential cervical cancer causing HPV infections, women must still have regular Cervical screening even though they have been immunised. The Gardasil Vaccine is not a live virus and reactions are uncommon – most frequent being minor injection site pain, headache, fever or nausea, however, the vaccine has not been proven to be effective nor shown to be safe in women over 26.
From the 1st January 2018 the gardasil vaccination will be replaced by the new Gardasil®9 vaccination. This will offer protection to 5 additional cancer causing strains of HPV virus (Strains 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58).
Gardasil®9 vaccine is free under the School Immunisation Program. 1 dose is now recommended.
For people who are immunocompromised a 3nd dose is required.
In South Australia the school program in 2023 will offer Gardasil vaccination to years 7 & 8 students and from 2024 it will be year 7 only.
A catch up program is funded for people less than 26 years of age
Those in the eligible age group who have already had genital warts or 'HPV infection' should still be vaccinated - because there are so many strains of the virus.
Gardasil® offers protection against four HPV types (6, 11, 16 and 18) and is recommended for men who have sex with men (MSM) who have not previously been vaccinated with one dose of HPV vaccine. Gardasil ® protects against the two high-risk HPV types (types 16 and 18), which cause 90% of all HPV-related cancers in men, it also protects against two low-risk HPV types (types 6 and 11), which cause 90% of genital warts.
Cevarix vaccine is on private script for females aged 10 to <46 years
The Vaccine:This vaccine is not a live virus.
1 dose is recommended |
Recommended for:Children in Years 8 are provided this vaccination free through the Immunisation Schedule for Children.
Children who did not get the vaccination through the school programs can go to their GP. This will be covered under the free school program and a consultation fee will be charged. Gardasil vaccine should not be given to those with immediate allergy to yeast, those with phenylketonuria (PKU), in the presence of a high fever, during pregnancy (although no adverse outcomes have been reported) or where there has been an allergic reaction to a previous dose. Gardasil can be given while breast feeding but should not be given during pregnancy (although no adverse outcomes have been recorded). This vaccine is recommended for:
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Adverse Reactions:Adverse reactions are uncommon and usually minor:
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