HPV Immunisation Programme

The Ministry of Health programme aims to reduce cervical cancer in New Zealand by protecting girls against HPV infection. Each year around 160 New Zealand women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 60 women die from it, and the immunisation programme aims to halve these deaths.

The Ministry of Education has been working with the Ministry of Health to support programme delivery through schools.   The Ministries of Health and Education support school-based programmes, as they are associated with higher coverage rates and reduced inequalities compared to vaccine delivery in other settings. 

The programme will provide the GARDASIL® vaccine for 12 year old girls (Year 8) from late in term one in 2009, largely through a school-based programme. GARDASIL® protects against the two HPV types that can cause 70 per cent of cervical cancers. The vaccination is given as a series of three injections in the upper arm over a six-month period.  At the end of the catch-up programme HPV immunisation will continue for girls in Year 8 through school-based programmes as part of the National Immunisation Schedule.

The Ministry of Health is working with district health boards on details of the 2009 and 2010 programme. Most parts of the country will be operating a school-based programme but in areas where girls are not able to be vaccinated at school, they can access information about the programme and alternative providers from public health nurses in schools.

Public health nurses will liaise with individual schools around how best to provide immunisations in each school.

Before the programme delivery begins in schools in 2009, information and consent forms will be given to all girls, who are expected to return the form signed by their parent or guardian.  However, those aged 16 and over may complete and sign the consent form themselves if the vaccinator believes they have an understanding of the vaccine, its risks and benefits.  School boards may talk to district health boards about consent processes.  
Resources, including posters, DVDs, flip charts, brochures and post cards, suitable for varying age groups, are being prepared for public health nurses to use when introducing the immunisation programme to schools. 
The HPV vaccine will also be available through primary health care providers (including the family doctor, practice nurse or health clinic). 

Copies of advice that the Ministry of Education has provided to the schools and education sector groups to date are available for download below.

For more information about the HPV programme, see the Ministry of Health website.

Email hpv@moh.govt.nz

Phone 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863)