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Cervical Cancer vaccine: The facts
If you’ve got the Cervical Cancer vaccination form from school or are thinking about getting the Cervical Cancer vaccine, Gardasil* here’s some info for you (and your mum or dad) to check out.
Q. What is Gardasil and do I need it?
A. First things first, Gardasil is a vaccine that’s been in development for over 20 years and 55 million doses have been administered worldwide. It works by immunising you against the four types of human papillo-mavirus (HPV) that cause a lot of cervical abnormalities and the majority of cervical cancer. It also immunises you against some of the HPV strains that cause genital warts.
Q. What’s HPV and how do I get it?
A. Good question. HPV is a virus with lots of different types, or strains, and has a direct link to cervical cancer, genital warts and other cervical abnormalities. It is easily passed on and spread through normal sexual activity - that’s any kind of intimate touching or genital contact, not just sexual intercourse. Even if you use a condom, HPV can live on the skin that a condom doesn’t cover.
It’s a pretty common virus to catch. Up to 70 per cent of sexually active people may become infected with HPV during their lifetime – but that doesn’t mean you’ll develop cervical cancer.
Most people who have a current HPV infection don’t show any signs or symptoms so they can easily pass it on without knowing – which is kind of scary.
Q. What are my chances of developing cervical cancer?
A. Every year approx. 30,000 New Zealand women will get an abnormal result from their smear test. In addition around 160 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 60 women die every year from cervical cancer.
Q. Does it work on everyone?
A. The cervical cancer vaccine has been developed to protect you against the main four types of HPV – and in turn protect against cervical cancer and genital warts. Gardasil has been clinically tested to be 99-100% effective in preventing cervical cancer, pre-cancers and genital warts caused by the four HPV types in the vaccine.
Q. How old do I need to be?
A. In New Zealand, if you are born after 1 January 1990 you can get the vaccine free of charge from your doctor, medical clinic or even through your school. If you do go to your doctor you won’t have to pay the usual doctor’s fees. In many ways, the younger you are the better, as it is less likely that you would have been exposed to the HPV virus.
So it makes sense to get immunised in your early teens - so when you do become sexually active, you have protection against the virus.
Q. If I’m already sexually active, will it still work?
A. The vaccine can still provide protection depending on whether you have been exposed to any of the four HPV types in the vaccine. For example, if you have started having sex and have been lucky enough not to be infected by any HPV types in the vaccine then you will get maximum protection the vaccine offers. If you have been infected by one or more types of HPV in the vaccine, and chances are you will not know it, you will get protection from the other types of HPV the vaccine protects against. So it is worth getting even if you are sexually active! Just remember, the vaccine does not stop you getting other STIs so always use a condom.
Q. It’s a new vaccine, how safe is it?
A. Gardasil has been available privately since 2006 and became Government funded in 2008 for girls born after 1 January 1990. Gardasil has been tested via an extensive clinical trial programme. Like all vaccinations, Gardasil works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies), in this case, against HPV. In clinical trials amongst 20,000 women world-wide including New Zealand, there were a few mild side-effects including: skin reactions to the injection: soreness, redness, swelling and in some cases fever.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. The Gardasil vaccination is 100% funded by the Government for girls born after 1 January 1990. Therefore you can get the vaccine for free from your family doctor, health clinic or through a school-based programme. For women not eligible for funded vaccine Gardasil costs approx $160 per dose plus doctors fees.
Q. How do I get it?
A. To be fully vaccinated, the vaccine is given as three injections in the upper arm over a period of 6 months. Then you’re done!
Q. What does 24/7 Girl think?
A. Like any new product it’s really important to do your homework. We say, read up, weigh up the pros and cons and don’t be put off by a bit of short-term discomfort if it means protecting yourself against cervical cancer in later years (and genital warts!) We all have a responsibility to take care of our own bodies, do what’s right for us and give ourselves the best possible shot at a long and healthy life. At the end of the day, the decision is yours.
Where to get more info:
http://www.cervicalcancervaccine.govt.nz
http://www.bestshot.co.nz
*The HPV vaccine is a Prescription Medicine. Medicines have benefits and risks. Talk to your doctor or nurse regarding the benefits and risks of this vaccine and to check eligibility. TAPS NA3275.
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