Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is very common and is the major cause of cancer of the cervix in women. It also causes genital warts in both sexes and probably causes cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, penis and throat. We recommend Gardasil brand HPV vaccine, which is an inactivated (not live) vaccine protecting against 9 major types (HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58) of HPV. These include 2 types (HPV 6, 11) that cause about 90% of genital warts in both men and women, 2 types (HPV 16, 18) that cause about 70% of cervical cancer and 2 common types (HPV 52, 58) in Hong Kong that cause about 16% of cervical cancer in women. These types cause 80-90% of HPV related disease in women^{^}. The recommended age for receiving the Gardasil HPV vaccine for both boys and girls is at age 9, but older children and young people will still benefit if they have not already been exposed to HPV.

Please seek advice from our doctors for vaccinations you may need.

*Vaccination is not a substitute for routine cervical screening. We recommend you to have routine cervical screening after vaccination.

^{^}Source from http://www.hpv.com.hk/