Station 5 (Counselling )

HPV Vaccination

Why does my child needs HPV vaccination?

This vaccine is for protection from most of the cancers caused by human papillomavirus
(HPV) infection. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name given to a group of viruses that
can affect the skin and the moist membranes that line different parts of your body such as
your mouth, throat and genital area. There are many types of HPV. Most types of the virus
do not cause any symptoms and will be cleared completely from your body by your immune
system. Some types of HPV, however, are known to increase the risk of developing
particular cancers. In particular, types HPV16 and HPV18, are known to be involved in the
development of most cases of cancer of the neck of the womb, or cervical cancer. Two other
types of HPV (types HPV6 and HPV11) are the cause of most cases of genital warts, a
common sexually transmitted infection.

Who should get HPV vaccination?

The vaccine is recommended for 11-12 year old boys and girls because:

The immune response to the HPV vaccine is better in preteens.

Your child should be completely vaccinated before they are exposed to the virus.

Catch-up vaccination can be given at ages 13 through 26.

What else should I know about HPV vaccine?

There are two types of vaccines (Cervarix and Gardasil) that are approved for HPV
vaccination (usually administered in three shots over a six-month period). Both males and
females should get vaccinated against HPV.

Cervarix protects against HPV16 and HPV18, which means it offers protection against
cervical cancer. Gardasil protects against HPV16, HPV18 and HPV6 and HPV11, which means
that it protects against genital warts as well as cervical cancer.

How can this vaccine protect against cancer?

The vaccine works by causing the bodys immune system to produce its own protection
(antibodies) against the HPV types that cause most cervical cancers.

How effective is the vaccine?

 This vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical
cancer and genital warts.
It is highly effective in preventing those types of HPV and related diseases in young
women.
The vaccine can only prevent the specific types of HPV before a person is exposed to
them.
Girls who are sexually active may still benefit from HPV vaccine. There are many
types of HPV and sexually active young women and girls may not have been exposed
to all of them.

How safe is the vaccine?

The vaccine is used in more than 100 countries, including New Zealand, Australia, the
USA, Canada and countries in the European Union.
Some people may experience minor side effects such as redness, pain, and swelling
at the injection site and mild fever.
Very rarely, an acute hypersensitivity reaction, or anaphylaxis, occurs after
vaccination; usually within 10 minutes.
If this does occur, it can be treated. For this reason, you will be asked to wait for 20
minutes after vaccination.

If vaccinated, do young woman still need to have cervical smear test?

Yes. The vaccine does not protect against all HPV types that cause cervical cancer, so
if a woman has ever been sexually active, she still needs to have a smear test every
three years between the ages of 20 and 70.