Queensland Health is reminding parents their children are still eligible for a free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine if they missed their scheduled Year 7 School Immunisation Program clinic.
Chief Health Officer, Dr Lynne McKinlay said that young people aged 25 years and under were now eligible for a free HPV vaccine, raised from 19 years.
Dr McKinlay said this would protect against a range of HPV-related diseases, including cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, genital cancers, and genital warts.
“The HPV vaccine is routinely offered to Year 7 students in Queensland through the School Immunisation Program,” Dr McKinlay said.
“However, national data has shown there was a decrease in HPV vaccination rates across the country, including Queensland, between 2019 and 2021,” she said.
“Some children did not receive the HPV vaccine when recommended due to school disruptions over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
She said Australia was well on its way towards eliminating cervical cancer as a public health concern by 2035, and being the first country to do so, “but our high HPV vaccination coverage levels need to be maintained to achieve this goal”.
“I want to remind parents that if their children missed this important scheduled vaccine, they are eligible for a free vaccine via catch-up school immunisation clinics or by a GP or other immunisation provider,” Dr McKinlay said.
“However a consultation fee may be charged by providers outside of the School Immunisation Program.”
More information about the School Immunisation Program can be accessed at this PS News link.
