Background
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine used in Australia is called Gardasil®9 and protects against nine types of HPV that cause almost all cases of cervical cancer, other HPV-related cancers (including anal, penile, vaginal, and oropharyngeal cancers) and genital warts.
Under the National Immunisation Program, the HPV vaccine is free to all Australians aged 12 to 25. Young ones aged 12 to 13 are offered the vaccine through school-based programs.
However, since 2020 HPV vaccination coverage has been declining among young Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. In the period 2020–2023, vaccination coverage for Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents decreased from 88.2 per cent to 80.4 per cent for girls and from 85.6 per cent to 75.9 per cent for boys.1, 2
It is crucial to promote the importance of HPV vaccination to this community, to address decreasing vaccination rates and protect them against HPV related cancers and diseases.
How you can help
It's important that our young ones get vaccinated against HPV to make sure they're protected from HPV related cancers and diseases later in life.
On this page, you will find resources, social media copy, social media tiles and newsletter copy you can use in newsletters, your website and social media channels to help protect Mob from HPV.
Resources
You can download the resources below for free or order hard copy versions.
Poster
Display this poster in your clinic or community health setting to help promote the HPV vaccine to young ones and their parents or guardians.
Download the poster
Brochure
This brochure Help protect Mob from HPV includes information about why it's important for young ones to get the HPV vaccine and where they can get the vaccine.
Article for newsletter/websites
Help improve HPV vaccination rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by using this copy in your newsletters or on your website.
Heading: New resources to help protect Mob from HPV
Copy: Getting the HPV vaccine is an important way to protect against HPV-related diseases such as cervical cancer, other HPV-related cancers and genital warts.
Cancer Council Victoria and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation have updated their 'Help protect Mob from HPV' resources to help promote the importance of young ones getting the HPV vaccine.
The poster and brochure include information about what the vaccine protects against, who is eligible for the vaccine and how to get the vaccine. The resources can be downloaded from Cancer Council’s HPV vaccine website, or you can order physical copies of the resources.
Social media
Sample post 1
The HPV vaccine is an important part of staying healthy and protects against a range of HPV related cancers and diseases. The great news that young ones aged 12 to 25 can get the vaccine for free!
If your child is due to get their vaccine at school, make sure you return the consent form in time for vaccination day. If they’ve missed out on receiving the vaccine, you can arrange a catch-up for free at an Aboriginal Health Service, doctor, local council or some pharmacies.
Sample post 2
The HPV vaccine protects against HPV-related diseases including cervical cancer, other HPV-related cancers and genital warts. The great news is that it's free for young ones aged 12 to 25.
Want to protect Mob from HPV? Here's how you can help:
✔️ Talk to your Community about the importance of the HPV vaccine.
✔️ If your young ones are getting the vaccine at school, sign and return the consent form.
✔️ Missed the vaccine at school? Catch up now. You can get a free catch-up dose until you’re 26 at an Aboriginal Health Service, doctor, local council or some pharmacies.
✔️ Work in a community health organisation or ACCO? Download these resources and promote HPV vaccination to your community: hpvvaccine.org.au/resources
Contact information
If you have any questions about the resources or content on this page, please email hpvvaccine@cancervic.org.au
References
- https://ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2022-12/NCIRS%20Annual%20Immunisation%20Coverage%20Report%202021_FINAL.pdf
- https://ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2024-10/NCIRS%20Annual%20Immunisation%20Coverage%20Report%202023.pdf