The vaccine (Gardasil 9) is highly effective.
The HPV vaccine provides almost 100% protection from nine HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58), if all doses are received at the correct intervals, and if it is given before you have an infection with these types.
People aged 14 years or under at the time of their first HPV vaccination need two doses of the vaccine (two injections). The two doses must be given at least six months apart.
People aged 15 years and older need three doses of the vaccine over six months. This is because younger people produce a stronger immune response to the vaccine.
Protection is expected to be long-lasting and is probably life-long.
The original HPV vaccine was first given in the major vaccine studies in 2003. The latest research shows the vaccine still offers close to 100% protection more than 10 years after it was received, and this protection shows no sign of weakening.
This research is ongoing.
If booster shots are ever needed, people will be contacted by the Australian Immunisation Register which keeps records of everyone who received the vaccine.
The vaccine program in Australia has already shown strong signs of success in reducing HPV infections, genital warts and pre-cancer of the cervix.