About cervical cancer & HPV
Every year thousands of New Zealand women are diagnosed with cervical abnormalities, which in a number of cases may lead to cervical cancer.
It's now possible for girls and young women (aged 9 - 45) to immunise against cervical cancer, cervical abnormalities and other diseases caused by certain types of a virus.
Cervical cancer is caused by a virus
Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It is very common and we're learning more about HPV all the time.
There are many different types of HPV. Infection with HPV can lead to cervical abnormalities and cervical cancer. HPV also causes most genital warts, but these types of HPV are different to those that cause cervical cancer.
The HPV virus is very common and easy to catch
Both men and women can become infected with HPV as it is easily passed on and spread through sexual activity. Catching HPV is the result of normal sexual behaviour - any kind of intimate touching or genital contact can put you at risk of catching HPV.
Most people who have a current HPV infection do not show signs or symptoms. This means that they can pass on the virus to others without knowing it. There are no tests you can take to tell if you have a HPV infection.
GARDASIL is a vaccine that can help protect against cervical cancer, cervical abnormalities and HPV infection
Want to know more about HPV?
*Girls born in 1990 or 1991 who have started their vaccine course before 31 Dec 11 will still be eligible for FREE vaccination on their remaining shots. Girls born on or after 1 January 1992 will continue to be eligible for FREE vaccination. Please refer to the Ministry of Health for the eligibility criteria for girls younger than 11. A patient charge applies for all others outside this range.
Immunisation does not replace the need for regular cervical smear testing.
Gardasil [Quadrivalent HPV (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Recombinant Vaccine]. Prescription Medicine. Indication: GARDASIL is a vaccine that helps prevent the following diseases in girls and women 9 through 45 years of age caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Types 6, 11, 16 or 18: cervical cancer (cancer of the lower end of the uterus or womb); vulvar (the outside of the female genitals) and vaginal cancers; abnormal and precancerous cervical lesions (changes in cells of the cervix which have a risk of turning into cancer) as found by a Pap test; genital warts and HPV infection. You cannot get any of these diseases from GARDASIL. Contraindications: Do not, or do not let your child have GARDASIL if you or your child has an allergy to any of the ingredients. If you are not sure whether you or your child should be given GARDASIL, talk to your doctor or health care provider. Warnings and Precautions: Tell your doctor if you or your child has had an allergic reaction to the vaccine; has a bleeding disorder and cannot receive injections in the arm; has any illness with a fever higher than 37.8°C; is pregnant; is planning to get pregnant; has a weakened immune system; takes or plans to take any medicines including ones you buy without a prescription. Adverse Events: For the most part, the following common side effects for GARDASIL have been mild: pain; itching; tenderness or soreness; redness; swelling; fever; dizziness; nausea and vomiting. Although uncommon, fainting sometimes accompanied by shaking or stiffening has been reported. As with other vaccines, side effects that have been reported during general use include: Swollen glands in the neck, armpit and groin; joint pain; aching muscles; unusual tiredness, weakness or confusion; chills; generally feeling unwell; allergic reactions; bleeding or bruising more easily than normal; skin infection (with hot, tender and red skin). If any of the above symptoms worsen or you or your child has any unusual or severe symptoms after receiving GARDASIL, contact your doctor or health care provider right away. Tell your doctor if you are using, or have recently used any other medicines, including those for which you needed no prescription. Ingredients: The active ingredients of GARDASIL are highly purified inactive proteins from HPV Types 6, 11, 16 and 18.
For further information, consult your doctor or health care provider. Additional consumer medicine information can be obtained from the Medsafe website www.medsafe.govt.nz or from CSL Biotherapies (NZ) Ltd, PO Box 62 590 Greenlane, Auckland 1546. Freephone 0800 502 757 or www.cslbiotherapies.co.nz
GARDASIL® is a registered trademark of Merck & Co. Inc, Whitehouse Station, NJ, 08889 USA. Based on the GARDASIL Consumer Medicine Information prepared on 18 July 2011.
