Background
The quadrivalent human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine provides
protection against HPV types 6 and 11, and 16 and 18. The Australian
Government’s offer of free vaccination to women aged 18–26 years of
age through general practitioners ends 30 June 2009.
Objective
To determine the percentage of women attending Family Planning New
South Wales (FPNSW) clinics aged 26 years or less who were aware of
the free HPV vaccination program and had received a full course of the
vaccine or had at least one injection.
Results
Two hundred and ninety-four women aged 15–26 years (mean age
21.7 ± 2.8) completed the questionnaire out of a total of 512 women in
that age group who visited a FPNSW clinic; response rate 57.4%. Eightythree
percent had heard about the vaccine and 56% had presented to
a GP for at least one injection. The majority of women (213, 72.4%) had
visited a GP in the previous 6 months. In total, GPs had suggested having
the vaccine to 110 (37.4%) women during a recent visit; 59 (53.6%) of
these women had visited a GP specifically to have the HPV vaccine.
Of the 179 who responded to the question about awareness of the
availability of a free course of HPV vaccine, 76 (42.5%) were unaware
that they could obtain free vaccination through a GP.
Conclusion
General practitioners should use opportunistic visits by young women
to provide information about the catch up HPV vaccination program
and encourage them to participate in the program. As the offer of
free vaccination through GPs ends 30 June 2009 it is important that
GPs encourage as many eligible women as possible to participate.
The reduction in incidence of cervical cancer in Australia depends on
maximal coverage of eligible women.
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