Campaign

HPV immunisation

HPV (Human papillomavirus) infection can cause cancer in both men and women. Immunisation protects against most cancers caused by HPV.

We work with the Ministry of Health’s immunisation team to provide communications and marketing support for its National Immunisation Programme, including vaccinating against HPV.

The HPV vaccine protects against nine strains of HPV responsible for cervical and some other cancers, and genital warts. 

Protection is long lasting, so immunisation at age 11 or 12-years-old protects well into adulthood. Children are offered the HPV vaccine in Year 7 or Year 8. It is delivered through schools or your doctor.

Marketing of the HPV vaccine generally takes place in February and March each year, to coincide with the start of school. The campaign highlights the risk of HPV infection and reminds parents to sign and return the HPV consent form to their child’s school.

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Key messages

Protect your child against most cancers caused by HPV.
HPV immunisation is free.
You can be immunised free at school (in Year 8) or through your general practice.
Remember to sign and return the consent forms when they come home from school.

Campaign channels

Radio
Online
Print
Outdoors Media

Audience

Marketing for HPV immunisation aims to reach parents of children aged 11 to 12-years-old.

We developed a HPV Communications Pack for schools and immunisation coordinators to use to help create greater awareness in their local community. The pack includes a range of promotional materials and digital assets such as digital posters, a video advert, school inserts and banner adverts.

A Kura Kaupapa Māori HPV Communications Pack was also developed to support the delivery of the immunisation programme in kura or Māori immersion schools. 

Help spread the word

Resources are available for community organisations and others to promote HPV immunisation in local communities.

View HPV immunisation resources 

About the programme