• About Pap tests or Pap smears
• Who should have Pap tests or Pap smears?
• The human papillomavirus (HPV)
• The cervical cancer vaccine
• Pap tests after vaccination
• How does the vaccine work?
• Who should have the vaccine?
• Where to get the vaccine and costs
• Vaccine safety
• Abnormal Pap test (or Pap smear) results and treatment
• Cervical cancer

Where to get the vaccine and costs

The vaccine is available free of charge for girls in Year 7 through the school-based National Immunisation Program. Close to the time when vaccination commences, a consent form is sent to each girl's parent or guardian.

If girls in Year 7 have the first dose but miss the second or third doses, they have until the end of Year 8 to complete the three-dose course free of charge.

Girls aged 12 or 13 years who aren't able to have the vaccine at school, or who don't attend school, can access the vaccine free of charge through their doctor.

For everyone else (including boys aged 9-26 years) the vaccine costs around $450 for the full three-dose course (delivered over six months), and is available from doctors.

If you make an appointment to have the vaccine with your doctor, mention this at the time of booking, so they can order the vaccine for you if necessary.

The HPV Register stores information about girls and women who have received the vaccine, including contact details. Reminder letters are sent if any of the doses are missed. 

Local councils also issue catch-up reminder letters to parents of girls who have missed their Gardasil vaccine in the school program.

print this page

Email this page