The Australian Technical Advisory Group on
Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends the optimal age for HPV vaccination is around
12–13 years.
The vaccine works best if it is given before exposure to HPV – that is, before sexual activity commences.
Also, research shows that younger people create more antibodies when given the vaccine than older teens do. This means they are better protected if they are exposed to HPV in the future and only require two doses rather than three.
Sexual activity may be a long way off for your child. Feeling you'd prefer to wait ‘until they need it' is natural, but young people may find it awkward to tell a parent or guardian they are thinking about becoming sexually active.
You are not endorsing or promoting sexual activity if you decide to vaccinate your child.
There is no evidence that 12–13 year olds who receive the vaccine have sex earlier than those who do not have the vaccine, and nor do they have more sexual partners once they become sexually active.
Having the HPV vaccine is the same as any other vaccine – it is to protect your child over the course of their life, not because they are likely to be exposed to HPV in the near future.
If your child has the vaccine now, when they are older and thinking about intimate relationships, you can feel confident that you have done your best to protect them from HPV and some of the diseases it can cause.
The vaccine will not protect your child from other sexually transmitted infections or prevent pregnancy, so it will still be important to discuss the importance of safe sex before they become sexually active.
Remember that while condoms will protect your child against most sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy, they only offer partial protection from HPV as they don't cover all of the genital skin.