HPV vaccine schedule change
The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care has announced that from 6 February 2023, the routine two dose HPV vaccine schedule provided to young people aged 12-13 years through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) will become a single dose schedule using the same Gardasil®9 vaccine.
The NIP eligibility age for catch-up/missed vaccinations has also increased from 19 to 25 years of age.
The schedule has not changed for immunocompromised people. A 3-dose schedule of 9vHPV vaccine is recommended for people with severely immunocompromising conditions, regardless of their age when they started vaccination.
- The change is based on advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) who have considered the large volume of international clinical evidence that supports a single dose providing comparable protection as two doses.
- Most people who have already received one dose of HPV vaccine are now considered fully vaccinated and do not need a second dose.
- There is no change to the dosing schedule for people who are immunocompromised, and they still need three doses of the HPV vaccine which are all funded under the NIP.
- The catch-up program for people who missed vaccination at school has been extended to people up to and including 25 years of age (increased from 19 years of age).
The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) due/overdue rules for HPV are anticipated to be updated from 11 February 2023. Please continue to report all vaccines administered to the AIR as soon as possible, and within 10 business days.
There are no changes to ordering processes and NIP eligible vaccines can be ordered through your Onelink account as per usual.
Further questions can be emailed to the Immunisation Unit at immunisation@health.vic.gov.au
Further information and resources:
- The Australian Immunisation Handbook has been updated.
- The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care’s factsheet.
- A factsheet for immunisation providers.
- Information for the public can be found on the Better Health Channel.