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Questions & answers

- Free immunisation
- GARDASIL
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Cervical Cancer
- Genital Warts


Free immunisation

Who is eligible for free immunisation?
Immunisation is free for girls aged 9 up to those born on or after 1 January 1990.

When and where will free immunisation be available?
All girls aged 9 up to those born on or after 1 January 1990 will be offered free immunisation through a doctor, medical clinic or a school based programme.


GARDASIL

Does GARDASIL work?
Yes. You will be protected against the types of HPV that cause the majority of 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.

How does GARDASIL work?
GARDASIL works by causing the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against HPV. GARDASIL protects against 70% of cervical cancers1 and 90% of genital warts.2 You can not get a HPV infection or develop HPV related disease from GARDASIL.

Who should get vaccinated with GARDASIL?
GARDASIL is indicated for girls and women 9 - 45 years.

How is the vaccine given?
GARDASIL is given to you through a series of three shots in the upper arm over a six-month period.

It is very important that you get all 3 shots to get the full protection from the immunisation.

Is GARDASIL safe?
GARDASIL has been tested on over 20,000 women world-wide, including New Zealand, and was well tolerated.

Does GARDASIL have any side effects?
The most common patient complaints are skin reactions to the injection: soreness, redness, swelling and in some cases fever. For the most part these reactions have been mild. They usually improve or disappear within a few days.

Can I catch HPV from GARDASIL?
No. You cannot develop an HPV infection or HPV related disease from GARDASIL because the vaccine does not contain the complete virus.

Can I get cervical cancer or genital warts from GARDASIL?
No. The vaccine does not contain the complete virus and you or your daughter cannot develop cervical cancer or genital warts from GARDASIL.

If I get vaccinated with GARDASIL do I still need to get cervical smear tests?
Yes. GARDASIL does not protect against all the HPV types that cause cervical cancer therefore it’s important that you still get regular cervical smears.

Why do I have to see my doctor?
GARDASIL is a prescription medicine, and can be administered by either your doctor or nurse.

How much does GARDASIL cost?
GARDASIL is free for girls aged 9 up to those born on or after 1 January 1990.

If you are not eligible for free immunisation but would like the vaccine you can get it through your doctor and you will need to pay approximately $165 per dose for each of the three shots, plus administration and medical fees. The price does vary from doctor to doctor.

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Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

How common is HPV?
HPV is a common virus. Most people will become infected with HPV in their lifetime.

Can you tell if you have HPV?
No. Most people who have HPV do not show signs or symptoms. This means that they can pass on the virus to others without knowing it.

Do condoms stop HPV?
It is not known how much condoms protect against HPV. The HPV virus lives in certain areas of the skin that aren't always protected by condoms, so even if you are careful you can still catch the virus.

What if I already have HPV?
Women who have one or more types of HPV will still be protected against the HPV types they have not yet been exposed to that are in GARDASIL. Talk to your doctor or nurse for more information.

Can you clear a HPV infection?
Yes. For most women, HPV clears up on its own and the cervix cells go back to normal. But for some women, HPV does not go away and the cervix cells continue to change. This can lead to serious problems like high-grade abnormalities and cervical cancer.

If I have had a HPV infection, should I still get vaccinated?
Yes. GARDASIL works best when given before a person has become infected with certain types of HPV, but may also be of benefit if you or your daughter, have had a previous HPV infection.

If I have had an abnormal cervical smear, should I still get vaccinated?
Yes. GARDASIL can be helpful in preventing any future HPV infections even if you have already had an abnormal cervical smear test result. Talk to your doctor or nurse for more information.

If I catch HPV will I get cervical cancer?
For most women, HPV infection clears up on its own. However, for some women infected with HPV, the virus can result in the development of abnormalities and precancerous cells. Cervical abnormalities can be detected by a cervical smear test. Certain types of HPV, the ones that cause cervical cancer, are also referred to as "high risk" types.

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Cervical Cancer

What is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is a serious condition that can affect women of all ages. Cervical cancer is the cancer of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Cervical cancer develops when abnormal cells in the cervix lining multiply following a viral infection.

Can cervical cancer be prevented?
GARDASIL helps prevent cervical cancer by immunising against the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers. To prevent cervical cancer caused by other types of HPV, women must also have regular pap tests.

These screening tests detect early cell changes in the cervix (called ‘precancers'), so that if required, they can be treated before the changes become cancerous.


Genital Warts

What are genital warts?
Genital warts commonly appear as skin-coloured, irregular growths. They are found on the inside or outside of the genitals in both males and females. They can hurt, itch, bleed and cause discomfort. Sometimes they can come back after treatment.

What causes genital warts?
Genital warts are caused by certain types of HPV.

Does GARDASIL prevent genital warts?
GARDASIL prevents the two main types of HPV that cause most genital warts.

If I've had genital warts, does that mean I will get cancer?
No. The types of HPV that cause most genital warts are different from the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.

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References:

1. Frazer I, Cox J, Mayeaux E, et al. Advances in Prevention of Cervical Cancer and Other Human Papillomavirus-Related Diseases. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2006;25:S65-S81.

2. Villa L L, Costa R L R, Petta C A, et al. Prophylactic quadrivalent human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) L1 virus-like particle vaccine in young women: a randomised double-blind placebo controlled multicentre phase II efficacy trial. Lancet Oncol. 2005;6(5):271-278.

Immunisation does not replace the need for regular cervical smear testing.

*Girls aged 9 up to those born on or after 1 January 1990 are eligible for free immunisation through a doctor, medical clinic or school based programme. A patient charge applies for all ages outside this range.

GARDASIL™ [Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Recombinant vaccine] GARDASIL is a prescription medicine that is fully funded for females born between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1999. Please refer to the Ministry of Health for the eligibility criteria for girls younger than 11. A patient charge applies for all others outside this range. Indication: GARDASIL is a vaccine that helps prevent the following diseases caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Types 6, 11, 16 or 18: cervical cancer (cancer of the lower end of the uterus or womb), vulvar (the outside of the female genitals) and vaginal cancers, abnormal and precancerous cervical lesions (changes in cells of the cervix which have a risk of turning into cancer) as found by a Pap test, genital warts, and HPV infection. GARDASIL helps prevent, but does not treat these diseases. You cannot get these diseases from GARDASIL. GARDASIL can be given to females aged 9 to 45 years and males aged 9 to 15 years. Contraindications: Do not, or do not let your child have GARDASIL if you or your child have had an allergy to any of the ingredients or if you or your child have had an allergic reaction after receiving a dose of the vaccine. If you are not sure whether you or your child should be given GARDASIL, talk to your doctor or health care provider. Warnings and Precautions: Tell your doctor or health care provider if you or your child: has had an allergic reaction to the vaccine, has a bleeding disorder and cannot receive injections in the arm, has any illness with a fever higher than 100°F (37.8°C), is pregnant or is planning to get pregnant, takes or plans to take any medicines, including ones you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket, or health food shop, has a weakened immune system, for example due to a genetic defect or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Adverse Reactions: Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you or your child do not feel well during or after having had an injection of GARDASIL. Tell your doctor if you or your child have any of the following and they are troublesome or ongoing: pain, itching, tenderness, or soreness at the injection site, local reaction around the injection site such as soreness, redness, or swelling, fever, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, pain in the extremities. Fainting, sometimes accompanied by shaking or stiffening, has been reported. Although fainting episodes are uncommon, patients should be observed for 15 minutes after they receive HPV vaccination. As with other vaccines, side effects that have been reported during general use include: headache, swollen glands in the neck, armpit and groin, joint pain, aching muscles, unusual tiredness or weakness, chills, generally feeling unwell, and allergic reactions. If any of the above symptoms worsen or you or your child has any unusual or severe symptoms after receiving GARDASIL, contact your doctor or health care provider right away. Ingredients: The active ingredients of GARDASIL are highly purified inactive proteins from HPV Types 6, 11, 16 and 18.

For more information, please contact your health care provider or CSL Biotherapies (NZ) Ltd, PO Box 62 590, Central Park, Auckland 1544, Freephone 0800 502 757 or www.cslbiotherapies.co.nz. GARDASIL™ is a registered trademark of Merck & Co. Inc. Whitehouse Station, NJ, 08889 USA.GARD-143-09/09 TAPS CH2448 Date of Preparation: September 2009.

Disclaimer: The information in this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare professional. All decisions regarding GARDASIL must be made with a healthcare provider. The product information provided in this site is intended for residents of New Zealand. Audiences outside New Zealand should refer to the product information in their own country, as different regulatory regimes may apply. GARDASIL is distributed in New Zealand by CSL Biotherapies (NZ) Ltd.