Our human papillomavirus (HPV) reference page has been updated to reflect the National Immunisation Program (NIP) recently moving to a single dose of vaccine only for immune competent individuals 25 years of age and under. Immunocompromised individuals of any age and anyone 26 years of age and over continue to be recommended 3 doses for optimal protection.
HPV is a double stranded DNA virus that can infect both men and women. It can affect a person’s anogenital or respiratory tract. There are more than 100 known sub-types of HPV, with 40 of them affecting the anogenital region.
Vaccination against HPV is ideally provided prior to sexual activity to protect against the development of lesions such as genital warts, cutaneous warts and respiratory papillomatosis, as well as various cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, oral cavity and oropharynx.
HPV vaccination is currently provided to all school aged adolescents in year 7, with a funded catch-up program available up to the age of 26 years.
For more information refer to MVEC: Human papillomavirus