New Zealand launches first stage of HPV vaccine
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
More than 50,000 New Zealand women can now access the first stage of the country's human papilloma virus immunisation programme, which began on September 1st. Women aged 17-18 years old can receive the first of three of Merck & Co's Gardasil vaccinations via their GP or nurse. Younger women aged 12-18 will be offered the vaccine next year, predominantly through schools. The government will spend around NZ$177 million ($117 million) on the programme over the next five years, accruing an ongoing cost of around NZ$16 million per year.