HPV Vaccine

This page tells you about new developments in the prevention of cervical cancer. New vaccine(s) are available to prevent Genital Human Papilloma Virus (more commonly known as HPV or Wart Virus), an infection which can lead to the development of abnormal cells (CIN) and cervical cancer.

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Why is an HPV vaccine needed?
What HPV vaccines are available and how effective are they?
How safe are the vaccines?
Who should be vaccinated and when?
How do you get vaccinated and what will it cost?
How long does the vaccine last for?
Will cervical screening still be needed?
Do you need to find out if you are already infected before having the vaccine?
The vaccine and pregnancy
What if you choose not to vaccinate?
Vaccination and safer sex practices

Why is an HPV vaccine needed?

The number of women with cervical cancer is falling but the cervix is still an important site of cancer. More than 60 women die of cervical cancer and about 180 develop cervical cancer in NZ per year.
Genital HPV viruses are an extremely common sexually transmitted infection. To develop cervical cancer a woman must contract certain types of HPV.
Most sexually active people will acquire genital HPV, the majority within the first 2 years of onset of sexual activity. However it takes many years for a small percentage of women to develop cancer, most commonly caused by HPV types 16 and 18.
Most people will never know that they have this virus.
Most of the time, HPV goes away on its own. When HPV is gone, the cervical cells go back to normal. But sometimes, HPV does not go away. Instead it lingers (persists) and continues to change the cells on a woman’s cervix. These cellular changes can lead to cancer over time, if they are not treated.
Cervical screening detects these abnormalities and most can be treated before the cellular changes become cancer.
HPV related pre-cancers of the cervix generally require surgical treatment.
HPV vaccines are highly effective at preventing some of the most common genital HPV infections and therefore preventing HPV related cellular changes or cancer developing.
Most external visible warts are caused by HPV types 6 and 11, and these types do not cause cervical cancer. However these types may be troublesome and can be prevented by appropriate vaccination.

What HPV vaccines are available and how effective are they?

There are two vaccines for preventing the most significant HPV types associated with cervical cancer. Both vaccines have been tested in thousands of people in many countries, including NZ.
Gardasil has been licensed for use in NZ and is currently available. Gardasil immunises against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause approximately 70% of cervical cancers, and HPV types 6 and 11, which cause 90% of visible genital warts.
Cervarix is expected to be licensed and available in NZ in early 2007. Cervarix immunises against types 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancers.
Studies show that both Gardasil and Cervarix are highly effective (close to 100%) in preventing infection caused by these types of HPV.
Vaccination with both Gardasil and Cervarix require three doses by injection spread over six months .

How safe are the vaccines?

Both vaccines have been observed to have an excellent safety profile; the most common side effect is soreness at the injection site.

Who should be vaccinated and when?

Currently HPV vaccines are recommended for females between 9 and 26 years, ideally prior to starting sexual activity and therefore before being exposed to the virus.
Even if a woman has been exposed to one or more HPV types, the vaccine will protect against other HPV types that the woman has not yet been exposed to.
Research in males is currently underway to determine the place of HPV vaccination in males.

How do you get vaccinated and what will it cost?

Currently the vaccine is not funded under the Ministry of Health vaccination funding, therefore individuals will have to pay for the cost of this vaccine.
The cost for the full 3 doses will vary but is expected to be approximately $450-$500.
Your Family Doctor and Primary Health Care Nurse will be able to give you more information of the cost of this vaccination.

How long does the vaccine last for?

Vaccine studies have been running for 5 years and demonstrate that the vaccines provide very good protection for at least 5 years. Ongoing research will continue to monitor if the vaccine is protective long term, and if a booster will be needed.

Will cervical screening still be needed?

Yes. HPV vaccines will not stop the need for cervical cancer screening.
Although the vaccines prevent infection by the most common problem HPV types there are other types of HPV not covered in the vaccine that could cause disease.
If someone has been sexually active prior to receiving the HPV vaccine they may already be infected with HPV virus which could go on to cause disease. Therefore normal cervical screening should continue.

Do you need to find out if you are already infected before having the vaccine?

Unless you are due for a routine smear you do not need any cervical (Pap) smear or other tests before starting the vaccinations.
There are no tests currently available in NZ for specific HPV typing.

The vaccine and pregnancy

HPV vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy, however if a woman became pregnant while receiving the vaccine no further action is needed as in all the studies to date there has been no increased risk of abnormalities in the baby.

What if you choose not to vaccinate?

Regular cervical screening as recommended by the Cervical Screening Programme Guidelines will ensure early detection and management of HPV related changes and prevention of most cervical cancer.

Vaccination and safer sex practices

The HPV vaccine offers a significant measure to protect young women from contracting an HPV infection that could lead to the development of cervical cancer. We also recommend that women continue to protect their sexual health by:

Delaying becoming sexually active
Limiting their number of sexual partners
Ensuring male partners use a condom every time for any casual sexual encounter
Having a sexual health check prior to a new sexual partner and after any unprotected sex

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