Important Information for People Aged 12–26 Living in Australia – Especially Parents of High School Students, International Students, and Working Holiday Makers

About HPV (Gardasil 9) Vaccination for Males
In Australia, all Year 7 students, both boys and girls, receive the HPV 9-valent vaccine as part of the School Immunisation Program. In Australia, where vaccination has been widely implemented, the incidence of cervical cancer has significantly decreased. If this trend continues, it is expected that the country will be able to declare the elimination of cervical cancer by 2035.

Previously, three doses of the HPV vaccine were required, similar to the current situation in Japan. However, based on recent medical research, it is now considered sufficient for young people aged 12–25 to receive only one dose. Studies have shown that a single dose provides a high level of preventive effect comparable to two or three doses in this age group. Furthermore, this single dose of the HPV 9-valent vaccine is funded by the Australian government and is provided free of charge for males and females under 26 years of age who live in Australia.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends HPV vaccination not only for women but also for men. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, and it can cause cervical cancer when transmitted from men to women through sexual intercourse. By vaccinating men, HPV infection can be prevented, which contributes to the prevention of cervical cancer in women. In addition, HPV has been shown to cause not only cervical cancer but also genital warts, as well as cancers of the throat (pharynx), anus, and penis.

Although Sakura Family Clinic was established mainly for Japanese patients, many Chinese and Taiwanese international students and working holiday makers — both male and female — have visited our clinic to receive the HPV 9-valent vaccine (Gardasil 9). Many of them are very pleased to be able to receive the vaccine free of charge in Australia, as it is difficult to access and very expensive in their home countries.

On Chinese social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu, many people share their vaccination experiences and recommend receiving the HPV vaccine while in Australia. The overseas Chinese information network is truly impressive, and I am always struck by the high level of information-sharing among young Chinese people. From what they tell us, even though they may fear or dislike injections, both men and women share a strong awareness of the importance of receiving the HPV vaccine as a preventive measure against cancer in the future. Even among travellers who are not eligible for the government-funded program, many still wish to receive the vaccine and are willing to pay approximately $300 out of pocket.

In contrast, among Japanese people, only a small number of young women occasionally consult us about HPV vaccination, and it is extremely rare for men to seek vaccination. As a healthcare professional, I am concerned by the noticeable behavioural gap between Japanese youth and their peers from other Asian countries. One possible reason is that HPV vaccination rates in Japan fell significantly in the past after media reports raised concerns about rare side effects, which understandably caused anxiety. As a result, awareness of the importance of vaccination remains low among both men and women.

It is important to note that the extremely rare symptoms reported in the past have not been medically proven to be causally linked to HPV vaccination. In contrast, there is strong and well-established medical evidence demonstrating the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing multiple types of cancer. When considering the overall balance of risks and benefits, the medical consensus is that young people should receive the HPV vaccine, even if it requires paying a significant cost.

From what I understand, in Japan, the 2-valent and 4-valent HPV vaccines are still available, and free vaccination is offered only to women. For men, the primary option appears to be paying for three doses of the 4-valent vaccine.
I sincerely hope that young Japanese men living in Australia will take advantage of this valuable opportunity to receive the 9-valent HPV vaccine free of charge — not only for their own health, but also to help protect their future partners.