This vaccination is intended to protect against diseases caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16 and 18. These diseases include cervical cancer, pre-cancerous lesions of the female genitals (including cervix and vulva) and genital warts. HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases and HPV types 6 and 11 for approximately 90% of genital wart cases.
The vaccine is available to children and adolescents between the ages of 9 and 15, and to adult female patients between 16 and 26. Patients will benefit most from the vaccine if they have had no exposure to any of the HPV types. However, in individuals who are already infected by one or more of the vaccine types, the vaccine will protect against the remaining vaccine related HPV types.
It should be noted that vaccination is not a substitute for routine cervical screening.
The vaccination is given by intramuscular injection in three stages. The second injection follows two months after the first, and the third injection follows four months after the second.
The vaccination can also be given to males between the ages of 9 to 15 as HPV is usually passed on through sexual intercourse so has an indirect health benefit for girls/women.
