Questions & Answers (Q&A) about HPV Vaccination Program 2007
Q. What is HPV?Q. What is the link between HPV and cervical cancer?
Q. How is HPV spread?
Q. Why should my daughter be vaccinated?
Q. Who is eligible for free HPV vaccine?
Q. Will boys be vaccinated at school?
Q. What does HPV vaccine contain?
Q. How many doses are required and how long does the vaccine last?
Q. What are the side effects of HPV vaccination?
Q. What is Anaphylaxis?
Q. Will my daughter’s information be transferred to any other organisation?
Q. Why will my daughter's health information be transferred to the National HPV Vaccination Program and transferred to the National Cervical Screening Program?
Q. Will Pap smears still be necessary after vaccination?
Q. What can I do if my child missed out on the vaccine at school because of illness or absence on the day the nurses’ visit?
Q. Should I give my daughter a dose of paracetamol before going to school on the day of the clinic?
Q. What if my daughter has asthma and takes cortisone or prednisone by a “puffer”?
Q. Do homoeopathic preparations protect against HPV?
Q. Should the vaccine be given to a young woman who is or thinks she may be pregnant?
Q. Is vaccination compulsory for this campaign?
Q. Will I receive a record of the vaccinations that my daughter has received?
Q. Where can I find more information about immunisation?
Q. What is HPV?
For more information visit www.ncirs.usyd.edu.au
Q. What is the link between HPV and cervical cancer?
A. Two particular types of HPV are responsible for causing up to 80% of cervical cancers (cancer of the cervix) in Australia.
Women can be infected with HPV through sexual contact and it is estimated that up to 79% of women in Australia will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives.
Most women who have HPV clear the virus naturally and do not develop cervical cancer.
Q. How is HPV spread?
A. HPV can be transmitted during sex and genital skin-to-skin contact with a person who has the virus. The virus passes through tiny breaks in the skin. HPV is not spread through blood or other body fluid. Condoms offer limited protection, as they do not cover all of the genital skin.
Q. Why should my daughter be vaccinated?
A. The vaccine is very effective in preventing the main types of HPV infection. There is no cure for HPV infection but there is treatment available for the effects of the virus, such as genital warts and abnormal changes to cells in the cervix.
HPV vaccination is most effective when it is given to females before they are exposed to the virus.
Even if young women have started sexual activity, there is a benefit to being vaccinated, as most will have had few partners, which means they are less likely to have been in contact with the types of HPV that are prevented by the vaccine.
Q. Who is eligible for free HPV vaccine?
A. The school-vaccination program will offer HPV vaccine to all girls in NSW high schools in 2007 and 2008.
Q. Will boys be vaccinated at school?
A. No. Research into the effectiveness of HPV vaccine preventing HPV infection in males has not been completed.
Q. What does HPV vaccine contain?
A. The HPV vaccine contains yeast, aluminium adjuvant, sodium chloride, L-histidine, polysorbate and sodium borate.
These ingredients are included in the vaccine in very small amounts to either assist the vaccine to work or to act as a preservative. It does not contain 'live' virus.
Q. How many doses are required and how long does the vaccine last?
A. HPV vaccine is given as a series of three injections into the upper arm muscle. It is usually given over a sixmonth period. The timing of this schedule may change slightly depending on when the service provider visits your daughter's school.
To have the best protection against the virus, it is essential that all three vaccinations are administered within 12 months. Protection following complete (3 doses) vaccination for HPV is at least 5 years. At this stage it is not known if booster doses are required.
Q. What are the side effects of HPV vaccination?
A. HPV vaccine is generally well tolerated. Side effects of HPV vaccination are mild and usually involve pain, swelling and redness at the injection site. Serious side effects are extremely rare.
A cold damp cloth at the injection site may relieve discomfort. Paracetamol can be given to lower fever or to relieve discomfort. If fever persists or any reaction occurs that you consider serious or unexpected, seek medical advice.
Q. What is Anaphylaxis?
A. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that may result in unconsciousness and death if not treated quickly. It occurs rarely after vaccination. The nurses are fully trained in the treatment of anaphylaxis.
Q. Will my daughter's information be transferred to any other organisation?
A. Your daughter's health information will be transferred to the National HPV Vaccination Program Register and linked to the National Cervical Screening Program. Collection of such information requires provision of your daughter's Medicare Number.
By signing the consent form, you are agreeing to disclose your daughter's health information for collection and transfer to the National HPV Vaccination Program Register and linkage to the National Cervical Screening Program.
Q. Why will my daughter's health information be transferred to the National HPV Vaccination Program and transferred to the National Cervical Screening Program?
A. Health Information collected will be used to evaluate the impact of the HPV Vaccination Program on cervical cancer rates.
Q. Will Pap smears still be necessary after vaccination?
A. Yes. Regular Pap smears are still important, as the HPV vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. All females who have been vaccinated against HPV will still require regular Pap smears from the age of 18 or within 2 years of first having sex, whichever is later.
Q. What can I do if my child missed out on the vaccine at school because of illness or absence on the day the nurses' visit?
A. You should contact your local Public Health Unit for advice regarding catch-up vaccination for doses missed at school.
Q. Should I give my daughter a dose of paracetamol before going to school on the day of the clinic?
A. No. This is not necessary.
Q. What if my daughter has asthma and takes cortisone or prednisone by a "puffer"?
A. It is safe to vaccinate someone who has asthma with HPV vaccine, no matter which medications they are taking.
Q. Do homoeopathic preparations protect against HPV?
A. No. There is no evidence that homoeopathic preparations prevent HPV disease.
Q. Should the vaccine be given to a young woman who is or thinks she may be pregnant?
A. No. Any young woman who is, or thinks she may be pregnant should not be vaccinated.
Q. Is vaccination compulsory for this campaign?
A. No. All parents/guardians will receive the information package. Parents/guardians can choose whether or not to sign the Consent Form and have their child vaccinated. Only those children with a Consent Form completed and signed by a parent/guardian will be vaccinated.
Do not return the consent form if you do not wish your daughter to be vaccinated.
Q. Will I receive a record of the vaccinations that my daughter has received?
A. Your child will be given a record of vaccination. It is important that you advise your GP that this vaccination has been given.
Please store this record in a safe place for future reference.
Q. Where can I find more information about immunisation?
A. The Australian Immunisation Handbook (current Edition) provides detailed information about immunisation. It can be found at: www.immunise.health.gov.au
For more on NSW Immunisation programs visit the NSW Health website on www.health.nsw.gov.au
