Information for consumers
What is the National HPV Vaccination Program?
The National Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Program (HPV) is funded by the Australian Government. Through the program, females aged 12—26 can receive the HPV vaccine free of charge to protect against the cause of most cervical cancers. Vaccination involves three injections, usually given over a period of six months.
This website contains information about the National HPV Vaccination Program Register (HPV Register), which collects information about the National HPV Vaccination Program.
Questions answered on this page:
- What is the HPV Register?
- Why should I (or my daughter) be on the HPV Register?
- What are the other benefits of the HPV Register?
- What information will be recorded on the HPV Register?
- How will information be collected by the HPV Register?
- Do my vaccination records (or my daughter’s vaccination records) have to go to the HPV Register?
- Who will have access to my information?
- How do I contact the HPV Register?
- Further information and related links
What is the HPV Register?
The National HPV Vaccination Program Register (HPV Register) is a confidential database that collects details about HPV vaccinations given in Australia. The HPV Register is currently being set up and will be fully operational in early 2009.
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Why should I (or my daughter) be on the HPV Register?
There are three main benefits of being on the HPV Register.
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Certificate of completion
When the HPV Register is notified that you (or your daughter) have received all three injections, you will be sent a certificate of completion for your records.
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Reminders
The HPV Register will send you a statement that will let you know if you or your daughter has missed a dose in the school-based HPV Vaccination Program.
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Future updates about boosters
Current research shows that it is unlikely that booster doses of the HPV vaccine will be needed. However, if future monitoring of the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine shows that a booster is required, the Register will use the information it holds in an effort to contact you to provide you with appropriate advice.
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What are the other benefits of the HPV Register?
As well as the benefits to you (or your daughter), participation in the HPV Register will help the government monitor how the HPV Vaccination Program is working and measure the effect of the Program on cervical cancer.
What information will be recorded on the HPV Register?
The information collected and stored on the HPV Register about you (or your daughter) will include:
- name, date of birth, address, indigenous status, and Medicare number of the person receiving the vaccination
- name and address of the parent or guardian (if required)
- details of each vaccination dose given
- name and practice address of the doctor or nurse who gave the vaccinations.
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How will information be collected by the HPV Register?
Information about HPV vaccinations given in schools will be provided by state and territory governments to the HPV Register as part of the vaccination program. Information about vaccinations given in the community will be provided to the HPV Register by the health professional who gives the vaccinations for health care purposes.
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Do my vaccination records (or my daughter’s records) have to go to the HPV Register?
Information will only be provided to the Register with the consent of the individual or their guardian. If you do not wish these details to be sent to the Register you should indicate this at the time of the vaccination. You can ask for your information to be removed at any time by writing to the Register, or by completing the Opt Off form
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Who will have access to my information?
Information stored on the HPV Register will be held confidentially and the privacy of each individual is protected by law. Vaccination providers may be authorised to access an individual’s details if required for health care or research purposes.
Non-identifying information (that is, information that does not identify you or your daughter) may be provided to Australian, State and Territory Governments and researchers for policy-making or research purposes with appropriate approvals. No-one will be able to identify individuals from the information provided by the Register for this purpose.
In the future, personal and vaccination information held on the National HPV Vaccination Program Register will be cross-referenced with information from the pap smear, and cervical cancer registers that are currently maintained by states and territories. This will allow the government to monitor the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing cervical cancer in Australia.
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How do I contact the HPV Register?
You can phone the HPV Register on: 1800 478 734 (1800 HPV REG).
A telephone interpreter service is available if required.
If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can call through the National Relay Service:
- TTY users phone 1800 555 677 and ask for 1800 478 734 (1800 HPV REG)
- Speak and listen (speech to relay) users phone 1800 555 727 and ask for 1800 478 734 (1800 HPV REG)
- Internet Relay users connect to www.relayservice.com.au and ask for 1800 478 734 (1800 HPV REG)
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