Why should I be vaccinated against HPV?

HPV vaccines are safe and effective in protecting girls from a dangerous virus. HPV vaccination protects girls against cervical cancer in the future.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women and the most common cause of death from cancer among women in Africa.

• HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Most sexually active people will get infected with one or more HPV types in their lifetime!

• HPV infection can lead to several types of cancer and one type of genital warts.

• Cervical cancer is caused by sexually acquired infection with certain types of HPV.

• Cervical cancer can make it impossible for a woman to bear children / become pregnant / have more children.

• Vaccination against HPV protects against cervical cancer

• By getting the vaccine, you will protect not only yourself, but also your current or future partner from HPV infection.

• HPV vaccines are proven safe and effective.

Will the vaccine be effective?

You are not alone! Hundreds of millions of people have already received the HPV vaccine. Around the world, Eighty-six countries have introduced HPV vaccine into their national immunization schedules. Evidence from these countries shows that the vaccine is safe and effective.

The HPV vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines ever developed. Studies show that nearly 100% of individuals vaccinated with the HPV vaccine develop enough antibodies to protect themselves against the HPV types present in the vaccine.

HPV vaccine is safe! Hundreds of millions of people have been vaccinated without any serious side-effects. The World Health Organization (WHO) has certified that the HPV vaccine is safe.

HPV vaccine does not cause infertility or impact your ability to have children/conceive when later in life. In fact, women who have been vaccinated against HPV are less likely to get cervical cancer and cervical cancer can stop women from having children.

HPV vaccination will not have an effect on your periods/menstruation. If your start your periods soon after HPV vaccination it is because the bleeding would have started at that time anyway.