A STEP CLOSER TO CERVICAL CANCER ERADICATION IN AUSTRALIA

The news that Australia is on track to be the first country to eradicate cervical cancer is a staggering medical achievement and a testament to our immunisation program and to the world-class researchers in the country.

 

Australia is the home of the Gardasil vaccine – it was invented by Australian researchers and Australia was one of the first countries to roll out a national immunisation program with the vaccine.

 

For more than a decade, Australian girls have been receiving the vaccine through the national immunisation program, with school-aged boys receiving the vaccine for the past five years in an effort to boost protection against HPV.

 

These measure have led to a reduction in HPV-related infections in young women and a reduced incidence of genital warts in males and females.

This result shows that having a strong vaccination program is one of the most important things a Government can do.

 

Labor also acknowledges the dedicated researchers who are at the heart of this achievement, once again showcasing why our medical research capabilities are world-class.