All boys and girls in Year 8 are able to have the HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

The HPV vaccine is funded for girls and boys aged 9-26 years (inclusive) with all students in Year 8 able to have the HPV immunisation at school. The HPV vaccine protects against future infection from nine types of human papillomavirus that lead to cervical, anal, genital, mouth and throat cancers, as well as genital warts. The HPV vaccine is the final immunisation given as part of New Zealand’s free childhood immunisation programme.

All year 8 students will be given a form to take home which includes detailed information about the immunisation. Please complete the form, either consenting or declining the school-based immunisation programme and return the form to Mission Control at school before Monday February 14th.

The first HPV vaccine will be administered at school between late February and mid-May 2022. The second and final HPV vaccine will be administered at school a minimum of 6 months after the first. If a student is absent on the vaccination day, the HPV Immunisation Team will revisit school on a later date to vaccinate.

The HPV vaccine can be given on the same day or week as the Pfizer mRNA vaccine. There is no need for any spacing between the two.

We will be abiding by any health measures that are required at the time of visiting schools.

Further information about HPV and the vaccine can be found at: www.health.govt.nz or www.immune.org.nz or you are welcome to contact the local HPV Immunisation Team by emailing hpv@wellsouth.org.nz or phoning (03) 214 6436 or 0800 800 249.