HPV immunisation programme

The HPV vaccine protects against human papillomavirus — a group of very common viruses that infect 4 out 5 people some time in their lives.

Sometimes these viruses can lead to a range of cancers later in life. The most common cancer caused by HPV is cervical cancer, but it can also cause head and neck cancer, and cancer in other parts of the body.

The HPV vaccine is very effective in preventing infection from the 9 types of HPV and is the best way to protect you or your child  from HPV. 

The HPV vaccine is free for everyone aged 9 to 26 years (inclusive), including non-residents under 18 years.  And people aged 27-45 years (inclusive) can buy the vaccine.

• Tamariki aged 9 to 14 years old need 2 doses. The second dose is given at least 6 months after the first dose.
• From 15 years old you will need 3 doses. These are given over 6 months.

The HPV vaccine is offered at most schools, usually in Years 7 or 8, as part of the School-Based Immunisation Programme.

It is also available at a range of pharmacies, medical centres, hauora Māori providers and Pacific health providers.

More information on the HPV vaccine is available on our information website here. (external link) 

Updated information for health professionals about HPV vaccines.

·         Chapter 10 - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (external link)

HPV immunisation coverage is measured across three milestone ages: 14 years, 17 years and 25 years.

HPV immunisation coverage is published quarterly.

Additional data suppression methods have been applied to HPV immunisation coverage reports to protect privacy. These are:

• the threshold for primary suppression has changed from any count below 6 to any count below 10. These values were replaced with “n/s”.

·         secondary suppression is applied where there is a possibility of back calculation by replacing the row or column with “n/s”.

• HPV immunisation coverage by birth cohort, 1990–2003 as at 31 Dec 2017 [XLSX, 23 KB]
• HPV immunisation coverage by birth cohort, 2004–2008 as at 30 Sept 2022 [XLSX, 28 KB]
• HPV immunisation coverage by birth cohort 2009 as at 31 December 2022 [XLSX, 63 KB]
• HPV immunisation coverage for 2009 cohort to 31 March 2023 [XLSX, 140 KB]
• HPV immunisation coverage for 2009 cohort to 30 June 2023 [XLSX, 99 KB]
• HPV immunisation coverage for 2010 cohort to 30 September 2023 [XLSX, 138 KB]
• HPV immunisation coverage for 2010 cohort to 31 December 2023 [XLSX, 137 KB]
• HPV immunisation coverage for 2011 cohort to 31 March 2024 [XLSX, 137 KB]
• HPV immunisation coverage for 2011 cohort to 30 June 2024 [XLSX, 138 KB]