HPV vaccination

HPV is the most common sexually transmissible infection (STI) in the world. Most people will come in contact with HPV at some point in their lives.

There are lots of different types of HPV. Most don’t cause any issues. But some lead to genital warts. And some types of HPV can lead to cancer of the: 

• Cervix
• Vulva
• Penis
• Anus
• Throat   

Protect yourself from HPV with the HPV vaccination. It’s free for all New Zealand residents aged 9-26 – including people with a penis.

If you have a cervix, it’s also important to get regular cervical screening to test for the cancer-causing strains of HPV. You can now do an HPV self-test – and some people can have a self-test sent out to them.  

• A way to protect yourself – and those you have sex with – from cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, and throat

• For everyone – not just people with a cervix

• Free for all New Zealand residents aged 9–26

• A replacement for cervical screening – you should still get screening every five years

• Protection for all types of reproductive cancers

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps to protect you against the HPV virus. HPV can cause cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and throat — it can also cause genital warts.

Vaccinating yourself against HPV is an easy and effective way to help to protect you against these types of cancer.

The vaccine is free for all New Zealand residents between the ages of 9 and 26. But it’s recommended to give it at age 11–12, before becoming sexually active, and when the immune response is best. It’s recommended for everyone – not just people with a cervix. 

How many doses you need depends on how old you are when you have your first dose. You might need one, two, or three doses. Your nurse or doctor can let you know how many doses you will need.  

You can get the HPV vaccine:

• At school – the HPV vaccine is offered to all year 8 student through the school-based immunisation programme

• From your GP or usual health care provider

• From a pharmacy (search on HealthPoint for one near you) 

• From some of our clinics (if you're aged 9–45)

Health New Zealand information about the HPV vaccine

Some of our clinics can vaccinate you against HPV if you're aged 9–45:

• Takapuna clinic, Auckland

• Henderson clinic, Auckland

• Newmarket clinic, Auckland

• Manukau clinic, Auckland

• Hamilton clinic

• Dunedin clinic

Book an appointment to see one of our nurses for your HPV vaccination. 

You need either two or three appointments to be fully vaccinated against HPV. The HPV vaccine is free to New Zealand residents that begin the vaccine before the age of 27 – and your appointment is free too. 

If you begin the HPV vaccine after your 27th birthday, you will pay $180 per vaccine – one vaccine per appointment. You'll also need to pay an appointment fee. If you’re not a New Zealand resident, you’ll need to pay non-resident fees.

Check out our fees page for more details.