Jennifer Lee
Principle of St Mary Star of the Sea, Hurstville
100 Main St.
Princes Hwy, 2319

May 1st, 2015
Dear Parents and Students,
I am writing this letter to on behalf of the National Immunisation Program to inform you about the importance of the school-based Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program for males and females. This school-based vaccination program is being provided to protect males and females against a range of cancers and disease caused by HPV. This vaccine is offered on a voluntary basis to all girls and boys in Year 7.
We initially encourage all parents to keep in mind some important considerations. First of all, human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly contagious virus transmitted through sexual contact, which can affect both males and females. It is a common sexually transmitted infection which usually causes no symptoms and goes away naturally by itself, but can sometimes cause serious illnesses. However, If HPV infection does not leave the body, the more serious and harmful types of HPV can develop and cause abnormal cells associated with a wide range of cancers. It can cause genital cancers, some cancers of the mouth and throat, genital warts and can also cause cervical cancer in women. Due to the low-occurrence of signs and symptoms, people infected with the HPV are often unaware that they have contracted the disease and may spread the virus without knowing it. As a result, HPV infection is very common - 70 per cent of adults will have HPV at some point in their lives. Nevertheless, HPV infection can be prevented by vaccination. Therefore, you can protect and prevent your child from this virus by simply getting the HPV vaccination.
As parents, you do everything you can to protect your children’s health for now and for the future. Today, there is a strong weapon to prevent several types of cancer and diseases in our kids: the HPV vaccine. This is why there is a school-based vaccination program which offers the HPV vaccine for your daughter or son. The HPV vaccine is tremendously important as it can significantly decrease your child's chances of developing HPV-related illnesses including cancer and genital warts. Nowadays, all eligible males and females aged 12-13 years can take part in the school-based National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Program which is free of charge. The vaccination program involves a series of three vaccinations, delivered at school over a six-month period by qualified immunisation providers. The completed course will provide males and females with the best protection against a range of HPV-related cancers and disease. This vaccine is highly effective and studies have since shown a substantial drop in HPV-related infections and genital warts among the vaccinated group. As a result, Parents or guardians who consent to have their child vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus ( HPV ) are giving them the best protection against HPV-related cancers and disease.

As you know, the prevalence of HPV infection is highest and extremely common among sexually-active men and women as it is spread by sexual contact. It merely takes one person to have HPV for it to be transferred to another person. As a consequence, HPV is so common that most sexually-active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives, though most will never even know it. Yet, in some cases, the body does not fight off HPV, and it can cause major health problems. However, the HPV-related illnesses can be prevented with the HPV vaccine which is being provided at your child’s school. You, as parents might think that having a sexual partner may be a long way off for your child, but that is not the case; since most people who are sexually active will be infected by HPV, it works best to vaccinate young girls and boys before they become sexually active. This enables them to develop a strong protection against the HPV types and as well as having a low chance of developing HPV