The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in Australia. HPV is a virus that spreads easily and affects both males and females.1,2 For some people, HPV infection goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. When HPV does not go away, certain types of the virus can cause genital warts and other types can cause cancer.2
HPV is the most common cause of cervical cancer in females. About 70 to 80 percent of cervical cancer in females is caused by HPV.3 HPV is also associated with cancers of the anus, penis, vagina, vulva, mouth and throat.4
The best way to prevent genital warts and cancer from HPV is to get vaccinated. The vaccines available in Australia help prevent some types of HPV, including the ones that cause 70 to 80 percent of cervical cancer and most cases of genital warts.3,5 Since the introduction of the vaccine, there has been a significant reduction (100% for females and more than 80% for males) in the number of genital warts diagnoses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 21 years or younger at their first sexual health clinic visit.3
In Australia, the HPV vaccine has been provided free in schools to all students aged 12–13 years under the National HPV Vaccination Program since 2007. Young people up to the age of 19 can also get the vaccine free of charge through general practices and community immunisation services as part of the National Immunisation Program’s catch-up program.5