Change to single dose HPV vaccine

From the 6th Feburary 2023, Australia will move from two doses to a single dose of the Gardasiluman papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for routine immunisation of young people under the National Immunisation Program.

The HPV vaccine is a crucial preventative measure against a common virus that spreads through sexual contact. The virus can lead to various cancers and other conditions that can cause serious health consequences. Almost all cervical cancers are linked to HPV infection, but the vaccine also offers protection against genital warts and other HPV-related genital, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers.

This change is based on the latest scientific and clinical evidence that suggests a single dose is enough to provide comparable protection against HPV infection in healthy young people. The decision has been supported by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the World Health Organization immunisation expert group, and the United Kingdom’s immunisation expert group.

If you are under 26 years of age and haven't yet received the HPV vaccine, you can now get a free catch-up program provided through immunisation clinics at schools or through a General Practitioner, community pharmacy, or other primary care providers. It's never too late to get vaccinated, so take advantage of this opportunity to protect yourself against HPV and its associated health risks.