HealthInfo Aoraki South Canterbury
The vaccine used to protect against human papilloma virus or HPV in New Zealand is called Gardasil.
The vaccine is free to everyone in New Zealand from the ages of 9 to 26. It is given as an injection.
People who are aged 9 to 14 need 2 doses while older people need 3 doses over 6 months.
The HPV vaccine helps protect against:
HPV infections can be spread by any skin-to-skin contact.
HPV is easy to catch through having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It can be passed on even if the infected person has no symptoms.
You do not have to have penetrative sex to get it. Skin-to-skin contact, including fingers, hands, mouth and genitals can also spread the virus.
HPV types 6 and 11 can cause genital warts. HPV types 16 and 18 can cause abnormal changes to cells, particularly on the cervix. This can lead to cervical cancer. These types of HPV are called high-risk HPV.
The Gardasil vaccine protects against these types of HPV infection. So, it reduces your chances of getting genital warts or cervical cancer. The vaccination works best to protect you from HPV if you have it before you start having any form of sexual contact.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
Information on human papillomavirus from the National Cervical Screening programme.
Information about the cervical cancer vaccine (Gardasil).
Information about HPV and vaccination.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed January 2025.
Review key: HICES-20461