HPV Vaccination

Immunise to Maximise

Learn how HPV Vaccination can minimise your risk of cervical cancer and maximise your life.

What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of common viruses that cause infections in both men and women. It is estimated that 8 out of 10 people will get HPV at some point in their lifetime. Most HPV infections clear up on their own and do not cause any problems. However, persistent infection by certain HPV types can cause cancer and other diseases overtime.

HPV infection can cause several cancers. Virtually all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to genital infection with HPV. HPV can also cause other cancers such as anal cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancers and penile cancer.

HPV infection has no treatment or cure. The best way to help prevent HPV infection is to get vaccinated.

About the HPV Vaccines

The vaccines approved for use in Singapore are Gardasil and Cervarix.

The characteristics of the three vaccines are shown in the table below.
Vaccines table Sep2020

Where can I get vaccinated?

You can get your HPV vaccination at a polyclinic or GP clinic. It is advisable for you to consult your doctor to find out more before going for your HPV vaccination.

Singaporeans can also use up to $500 per Medisave account per year under the Medisave scheme to pay for HPV vaccination. They can use either their own or their immediate family member's Medisave (e.g. parents or spouse) to help pay for the vaccination.

The national school-based HPV vaccination programme

Health Promotion Board (HPB) offers the HPV Vaccination in secondary schools as part of the school-based vaccination programme. Parents of Secondary 1 female students (i.e. 12 to 13 years of age) who are eligible for the programme will be sent a consent letter, and HPB will work with the respective schools to schedule the HPV vaccination. Please refer to the fact sheet here.

For more information on the school-based HPV vaccination programme, parents can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 6435 3895.

Cervical Cancer Screening After Vaccination

It is recommended that women aged 25 to 69 years old go for regular cervical cancer screening as the HPV vaccination does not protect against all cancer-causing HPV sub types.

Singapore Cancer Society (SCS) provides Pap test/HPV test screening at no cost to ladies who meets the following criteria:

Pap Test

Women aged 25 to 69
Singaporean or Permanent Resident
Have engaged in sexual intercourse or are sexually active

HPV Test

Women aged 30 and above
Singaporean or Permanent Resident
Have engaged in sexual intercourse or are sexually active

Click here to book an appointment with us!

HPV Education Talk

Since October 2018, SCS has launched the HPV Education & Immunisation Programme. It is to increase awareness of HPV vaccination to females aged 13 and above and parents through physical or virtual talks conducted by a medical specialist in schools and the community centres.

For schools interested in the HPV Education Talk, please send in your request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For parents who are interested in the HPV Education Talk, you may register for a session of the talk here http://bit.ly/HPVEduForParents.

Below is a teaser of the HPV Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Prevention Talk for parents.

HPV Immunisation Programme

Something new is coming up!

The Singapore Cancer Society has partnered Temasek Foundation to offer Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination at no charge at participating General Practitioner clinics to eligible women below:

Singapore Citizens only
Females age 18 to 26 years old
CHAS Blue or Orange cardholders only

To reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, we hope that as many women can be vaccinated. Take charge of your health , take the HPV vaccine if you are eligible. Together we can beat HPV and cervical cancer!

Download our FAQ to learn more.

Find the nearest participating CHAS GP Clinics near you (As of 5 Jan 2022):

East (First two digits of postal code 01 to 10, 14 to 41, 58, 59, 77, and 78)
West (First two digits of postal code 11 to 13 and 60 to 68)
Central (First two digits of postal code 42 to 52 and 81)
North (First two digits of postal code 69 to 73, 75, and 76 )
North East (First two digits of postal code 53 to 57, 79, 80, and 86)

For CHAS General Practitioner

We would like to invite your clinic to join us in this programme and encourage more girls to take their HPV vaccination.

Participation in this programme is voluntary. You can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to indicate your interest in coming onboard the programme. We will share more details and also list your clinic on our website as a participating clinic.

FAQs

FAQs

1. Who is at risk of HPV infection?

HPV is a common skin infection. Most people infected by genital HPV have no clear history of contact. However, the risk of infection is higher for individuals with:

• Multiple sexual partners: The greater the number of sexual partners, the higher is your risk of HPV infection. Having sexual activity with a partner who has had multiple sex partners can also increase your risk. While using condoms can help reduce the risk of HPV infection, it does not cover all genital skin nor guarantees 100% protection.

• Weakened immune system: People with weakened immune systems (e.g. may be due to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or on immune-system suppressing drugs) are at higher risk of HPV infection.

2. How is HPV transmitted?

• HPV infection is very common in men and women
• It can be transmitted through genital skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity, by sharing contaminated sex toys and very rarely, during delivery from the infected mother to the baby.
• HPV cannot be passed by sitting on toilet seats or touching the door knobs

3. What are the signs or symptoms of HPV infection?

• Some HPV infection may cause genital warts
• High-risk HPV infection of the cervix does not cause any signs and symptoms. The abnormality on the cervix is detectable by cervical screening (Pap smear test) and by specific HPV test

4. Can HPV be treated?

• The virus itself cannot be treated. Most HPV infections (90% of the cases) go away on its own without any treatment
• Although HPV virus cannot be treated, regular Pap smear can help to detect changes in the cervical cells caused by HPV infection
• With appropriate treatment, the abnormal or pre-cancerous cells can be prevented from developing into cervical cancer

5. I have a young daughter. Should she be vaccinated?

• The vaccine is approved for females aged 9 years to 26 years (depending on the specific vaccine being administered)
• The vaccines are most effective in protecting against the selected HPV sub-types if given before your daughter is exposed to them (usually through sexual activity)
• It is advisable to speak to your doctor to find out more about HPV vaccination
• Once you have understood the benefits, risks and limitations of the vaccines, the decision to proceed with vaccination is a personal one

6. Are the vaccines safe and effective?

• The two vaccines have been approved as safe and effective
• Long-term safety and efficacy are still under evaluation
• The vaccines consist neither the viruses or any infectious material This means you cannot get HPV infection from the vaccines

7. Are HPV vaccines 100% effective in preventing cervical cancer?

• No. As with any vaccination, HPV vaccinations do not guarantee 100% protection
• HPV vaccinations are not substitutes for routine cervical cancer screening
• Women who received vaccination are still encouraged to continue going for Pap smear once every three years

8. Should my son go for HPV vaccination?

• Currently the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS) only includes HPV vaccination for females aged 9 to 26 years old
• The decision to proceed with vaccination is a personal choice
• We advise you to speak to your doctor to find out more about the benefits and limitations of vaccinating your son against HPV

HPV Vaccination

HPV Vaccination

What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

About the HPV Vaccines

Cervical Cancer Screening After Vaccination

HPV Education Talk

HPV Immunisation Programme

FAQs

1. Who is at risk of HPV infection?

2. How is HPV transmitted?

3. What are the signs or symptoms of HPV infection?

4. Can HPV be treated?

5. I have a young daughter. Should she be vaccinated?

6. Are the vaccines safe and effective?

7. Are HPV vaccines 100% effective in preventing cervical cancer?

8. Should my son go for HPV vaccination?

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