GARDASIL 9 LISTING IS GOOD NEWS FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST CERVICAL CANCER

Confirmation that the Gardasil 9 vaccine will be administered from the 2018 school year is excellent news and Labor welcomes this announcement.

 

Last month, Labor wrote to the Government requesting urgent action to make the vaccine available – we are pleased they have listened.

 

The Gardasil vaccine is one of the most significant Australian medical discoveries in history, and an integral part of our fight against cervical cancer - the Gardasil 9 vaccine is an important next step in this fight.

 

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is the best protection against the HPV virus; a virus that infects four out of five sexually active people at some point in their lives and is linked to cancer and other disease.

 

Gardasil 9 has significant potential to build on the progress of the Gardasil vaccine, which has led to a reduction in HPV-related infections in young women and a reduced incidence of genital warts in males and females.

 

Gardasil 9 offers protection against five more viral types of the HPV virus, which are responsible for another 20 per cent of female genital cancers. As a result, this vaccine has the potential to protect our young people from around 90 per cent of cervical cancers.

 

Labor also acknowledges the dedicated researchers who have made this vaccine possible, once again showcasing why our medical research capabilities are world-class.