1. The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been shown in Australia to lead to a rapid decline in genital warts

2. The vaccine targets the HPV virus which causes 7 out of 10 cervical cancers and 9 out of 10 cases of genital warts.

3. Having the vaccine is not a license to have unprotected sex as it will not protect against other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), pregnancy or relationship trauma.

4. The vaccine does not act as a contraceptive and will not affect a woman’s fertility.

5. To be most effective, girls and young women should be immunised before having sexual contact and being exposed to HPV.

6. More than 100 countries including e.g. Australia, America and Canada have approved the safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine.

7. The vaccine has been shown to be safe during large clinical trials involving more than 20,000 girls and young women across 33 countries.

8. Protection is expected to be long-lasting. The longevity of the vaccine continues to be monitored both in New Zealand and overseas

9. All women need to have pap smears from age 20 (not before) even if they have had the HPV vaccine.

10.HPV should not be confused with HIV or (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). They are different!

For more detailed information, please refer to the Facts about Cervical Cancer and Vaccination website page.