Vaccination is an effective way to prevent contracting HPV. National and international recommendations are to vaccinate young adolescents against HPV before they become sexually active. Studies show that the body’s immune response to the vaccine is best between 9-14 years of age. Vaccination is still recommended for people who have had sexual contact, even though they may be already infected with one of the types of HPV.
If used correctly, condoms can help reduce the risk of genital HPV, and also provide protection against other sexually transmitted diseases. However, because HPV is transmitted through genital skin contact (not just sexual intercourse), condoms don’t provide 100% protection against HPV.
Vaccination and cervical cancer screening (with regular cervical screening tests) are complementary measures – both are recommended. For further information regarding how to prevent HPV, speak with your healthcare professional.
1. Queensland Government Department of Health. Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Available at: http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/condition/14/217/80/human-papillomavirus-hpv (accessed 14 December 2021).
3. Australian Government Department of Health. The Australian Immunisation Handbook – Human papillomavirus (HPV). Available at: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases/human-papillomavirus-hpv (accessed 14 December 2021).
4. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Genital HPV Infection – Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm (accessed 14 December 2021).
MAT-AU-2102490 Date of preparation March 2022
Show All
By clicking on this link, you will be leaving this Sanofi hosted website, and depending on the link, will be redirected to either another Sanofi website (for example, to view the Sanofi Privacy Policy) or an independent third party website which is typically not a Sanofi controlled website and may not be located in Australia (“Third Party Website”).
Use of and access to any Third Party Site is subject to the terms, limitations and conditions set by the Third Party Site producer and applicable laws.
Sanofi does not generally develop or maintain Third Party Sites, nor does it necessarily control those sites availability or what information is contained on those sites in any given instance and makes no representation in relation to those sites to the maximum extent permitted under any applicable laws, regulations or codes.
Any information that you access via a Third Party Site, may not comply with the Australian regulatory requirements. Further information relevant to the Australian environment is available from Sanofi or via the Product Information.