Human papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is a group of very common viruses that infect about 80% of people at some time in their lives. It’s passed on through intimate skin-on-skin contact.
- In most people the virus is harmless and causes no symptoms and will not develop into warts, pre-cancer or cancer.
- In a few people, HPV causes genital warts which are undesirable but harmless.
- In a few people, HPV can cause abnormal cells which can sometimes lead to cancers in both men and women, including cervical, vaginal, vulval, anal, head and neck cancers and penile cancers.
The best way to protect your children from HPV later in life is to get them immunised
The HPV vaccine is free for people aged 9 to 26 and is often offered to young people at school in Year 7 or 8. This is the best time for immunisation, as a pre-teen’s immune system is effective at making antibodies in response to the vaccine, meaning protection is long-lasting. It’s also an ideal time because most young people have not yet been exposed to HPV at this age.
It’s not too late to catch up!
If your children did not receive their HPV vaccines in school, or you would like to get one yourself, talk to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or healthcare provider. The HPV vaccine is available if you’re aged 27 to 45, but there will be a charge.