It’s not too late to vaccinate

Related Content: About HPV| Watch and Learn

Many adult males and females continue to be at risk of acquiring new HPV infections throughout their lifetime.1 An estimated 80% of sexually active men and women become infected with at least one type of HPV by the age of 50.2

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide.3 Most HPV infections occur without symptoms and resolve without treatment because your body can clear the virus itself.3,4 But for others, who don’t clear the virus, HPV infection can develop into cancer or genital warts.3,4

Download our HPV information leaflet which explains why adult vaccination is important and how it’s not too late to vaccinate.

Gardasil 9 is indicated for active immunisation of individuals from the age of 9 years against the following HPV diseases:5

It is not too late to vaccinate your adult patients against HPV. Although new HPV infections are most commonly acquired in adolescence and young adults, some adults are at risk for acquiring new HPV infections.1 At any age, having a new sex partner is a risk factor for acquiring a new HPV infection.1

Older men and women could benefit from vaccination with Gardasil 9 because if they don’t have a HPV infection the vaccine will protect them against 9 types of HPV that can lead to genital warts and certain HPV related cancers.5 However, even if they are already infected with one type of the virus, the vaccine will help protect them against other HPV vaccine types that they haven’t been exposed to.1

A very important cohort who could benefit from vaccination with Gardasil 9 are those women who have visited colposcopy and/or have undergone CIN2+/CIN3+ treatment.6 HPV Vaccination post CIN2+/CIN3+ treatment has been shown to significantly reduce the development of new lesions and recurrent disease.6

Your recommendation is the biggest factor in a person’s decision to vaccinate.7 Talk to your patients today about the importance of HPV vaccination.

Related Content: Gardasil 9 | HPV in Ireland | Ordering Information

    1. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/hpv.pdf (Accessed June 2023)

    2. NIAC Immunisation Guidelines. Chapter 10. Human papillomavirus | Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (preservica.com)

    3. STD Facts – Human papillomavirus (HPV) (cdc.gov) (Accessed June 2023)

    4. About HPV – HSE.ie (Accessed June 2023)

    5. Gardasil 9 suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe | SPC | Medicines.ie (Date of Revision March 2023)

    6. Jentschke, M. et al. (2020) “Prophylactic HPV vaccination after conization: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” Vaccine, 38(41), pp. 6402–6409.

    7. Paterson, P. et al. (2016) “Vaccine hesitancy and healthcare providers,” Vaccine, 34(52), pp. 6700–6706.