The vaccine works by immunising girls against certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that are known to cause 7 out of 10 cervical cancers. The vaccine also guards against the strains of HPV that cause 9 out of 10 cases of genital warts.

The vaccination program for girls in school will start in April. All female students currently in secondary school will receive the vaccine over the next two years. The cervical cancer vaccine will also become part of the regular school-based immunisation program for 12 to 13 year olds.

The vaccine will be given in a series of three injections, spread out over a six month period. The optimal schedule is:

First dose - at elected date;
Second dose - 2 months after the first dose; and
Third dose - 6 months after the first dose.

Schools in some states will administer the three doses of the vaccine over a slightly compressed timeframe in order to fit in with term schedules. This will not reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine.

As with other immunisation programs, parents and guardians must give consent for their daughters to receive the vaccine. Parental consent forms will be sent home with female students before the program commences in April.

The HPV vaccination program will be coordinated by local state and territory health departments. Schools should contact their local health department for information about how the vaccine will be delivered.

For more information, visit the Government Cervical Cancer website: www.australia.gov.au/cervicalcancer