About Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection Vaccination

The cervical cancer vaccination (HPV vaccine) comes in three types: bivalent, quadrivalent, and nonavalent HPV vaccines.
For details on the vaccination intervals, number of doses, etc., please see below.

(For those eligible for catch-up vaccinations equivalent to the first year of high school in the 6th year of Reiwa) The period for catch-up vaccinations has been extended.

For women equivalent to first-year high school students in fiscal year 2024 and those eligible for catch-up vaccinations, the vaccination deadline for those who have received at least one dose between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2025, and have not completed their vaccinations has been extended until the end of March 2026.
Please check the details from the link below.

• About Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Catch-up Vaccination

In fiscal year 2013, the human papillomavirus vaccination was added to the regular vaccination schedule.

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus. In Japan, about 10,000 people are diagnosed with this disease each year, and approximately 3,000 people die from it annually.
Most cervical cancers are caused by HPV (human papillomavirus) infections through sexual intercourse, and it is more common in younger generations, with a recent surge in cases among those in their 20s and 30s.
Vaccination against human papillomavirus infection and regular cervical cancer screenings are effective in preventing the onset of cancer.
If you wish to receive the vaccination, please make sure to understand the effects and side effects of the vaccination before proceeding.

Target Age

• Currently, girls aged equivalent to 6th grade of elementary school to 1st year of high school as of the vaccination date

Note: For women equivalent to first-year high school students in the 6th year of Reiwa, those who have received at least one vaccination between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2025, and have not completed their vaccinations, the vaccination deadline has been extended until the end of March 2026.

Note: The Human Papillomavirus Infection Prevention Vaccination (Cervical Cancer Vaccine) has been added to the regular vaccination program as a publicly funded vaccination for girls equivalent to the 6th grade of elementary school to the 1st year of high school since the fiscal year 2013.
However, in June 2013, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare issued a recommendation to municipalities nationwide stating that "this does not mean that regular vaccinations should be suspended, but that they should not be actively recommended," due to the occurrence of rare severe allergic reactions and other health damages after vaccination. Based on this recommendation, our city has refrained from sending recommendation notices to the target population.
As of April 1, 2022, it has switched to active recommendation.

Number of vaccinations

3 times or 2 times
Note: The number of doses required to complete vaccination varies depending on the type of vaccine and the age at which vaccination begins.
For more details, please check the section below titled "Types of Vaccines and Vaccination Intervals."

Types of Vaccines and Vaccination Intervals

Bivalent Vaccine (Cervarix)

Standard Vaccination Interval

• Second dose: 1 month after the first dose
• 3rd time: 6 months after the 1st vaccination

If vaccination cannot be done at the standard interval

The second dose should be administered more than one month after the first dose, and the third dose should be administered more than five months after the first dose and more than two and a half months after the second dose.

Quadrivalent Vaccine (Gardasil)

Standard Vaccination Interval

• Second dose: 2 months after the first dose
• 3rd time: 6 months after the 1st vaccination

If vaccination cannot be done at the standard interval

Administer the first and second doses with an interval of more than one month, and the second and third doses with an interval of more than three months.

(1) 9-valent vaccine (Gardasil 9) ... when receiving the first dose between the 6th grade of elementary school and up to 15 years old.

Standard Vaccination Interval

Second time: 6 months after the first time

If vaccination cannot be done at the standard interval

Administer the first and second doses with an interval of at least 5 months.

• Note 1: If the interval between the first and second vaccinations is less than 5 months, a third vaccination is required.
• Note 2: As mentioned above, in addition to the vaccination method that is completed with three doses, it is now possible to complete the vaccination with two doses.

(2) 9-valent vaccine (Gardasil 9) ... when receiving the first dose after turning 15 years old

Standard Vaccination Interval

• Second dose: 2 months after the first dose
• 3rd time: 6 months after the 1st vaccination

If vaccination cannot be done at the standard interval

Administer the first and second doses with an interval of more than one month, and the second and third doses with an interval of more than three months.

About the alternating administration of 2-valent/4-valent HPV vaccines and 9-valent HPV vaccine

• In principle, it is required to complete vaccination with the same type of vaccine.
• If you started vaccination with a 2-valent or 4-valent HPV vaccine and are completing vaccination with a 9-valent HPV vaccine, please consult with your doctor and the vaccine recipient before proceeding with the vaccination.
• In the case of mixed vaccination, a total of 3 vaccinations will be administered regardless of the age of the vaccinated individual.

About the Pre-examination Questionnaire

You can use the current health questionnaire as is.

Note: If you do not have the vaccination pre-examination form due to reasons such as moving, you can receive the pre-examination form by presenting your vaccination history with the Maternal and Child Health Handbook at the Inagi City Health Center.

Notice of Catch-up Vaccination

Since the fiscal year 2013, a program called "catch-up vaccination" has been started as a national initiative from April 1, 2022, to allow those who missed vaccination opportunities during the period when recommendation notices were withheld to receive vaccinations at public expense.

Catch-up vaccinations were scheduled to end at the end of fiscal year 2024, but due to a significant increase in demand after the summer of 2024, the period has been extended so that those who wished to receive the HPV vaccine but were unable to do so can start their vaccinations by the end of March 2025 and complete all three doses at public expense.

The subjects of the transitional measures are as follows.
 

Eligible individuals for transitional measures: Women born between April 2, 1997, and April 1, 2008 (in addition, women equivalent to first-year high school students in fiscal year 2024 are also eligible) who received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2025.

Note: Those who have already completed their vaccinations are not eligible.

Vaccination Period for Those Subject to Transitional Measures

Until March 31, 2026

Please check the information regarding HPV vaccination from the national government below.

• Human Papillomavirus Infection - Cervical Cancer (Cervical Cancer) and HPV Vaccine (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare)（External Link）
• Information on catch-up vaccinations for those who missed the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare)(External link)
• Q&A about HPV Vaccine (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare)(External Link)

HPV vaccination is not mandatory.
In addition to checking the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare website, please consult with the medical institution administering the vaccine to fully understand the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine before getting vaccinated.

Vaccination Location

Some medical institutions may require reservations, so please check in advance.

• List of Medical Institutions for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection Vaccination (PDF 101.6KB)

Belongings

• Identity Verification Documents
• Maternal and Child Health Handbook (a record of vaccinations)
• Pre-examination Questionnaire

Note: If you do not have a pre-examination form due to relocation, please contact the Health Center or each medical institution.

Post-Vaccination Precautions

1. After vaccination, there may be fainting due to pain from the injection or psychogenic reactions. To prevent falls due to fainting, a Parent or Guardian or healthcare professional should accompany you by holding your arm during movement after the injection, and please sit in a place where you can rest your weight for about 30 minutes after vaccination.
2. If you experience any abnormalities such as high fever or convulsions after vaccination, please seek a doctor's diagnosis promptly.
3. Pay attention to your health for one week after vaccination. If you notice significant swelling or feel unwell after the vaccination, please consult a doctor. The vaccination for human papillomavirus infection is administered as an intramuscular injection, so you may experience muscle pain for about a week after the injection.
4. Keep the vaccination site clean. Bathing is not a problem, but do not rub the vaccination site.

Description for receiving the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination

If you wish to receive the vaccination, please read and understand the "Explanation for Receiving the Human Papillomavirus Infection Vaccination" below, and consult with a doctor before getting vaccinated.

• Description for receiving the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (PDF 166.3KB)

About the Health Damage Relief System

• If health damage occurs due to adverse reactions caused by regular vaccinations, such as requiring treatment at a medical institution or hindering daily life, you can receive benefits based on the Vaccination Law.
• Depending on the extent of health damage, there are categories for Medical Expenses, medical allowances, child-rearing pensions for disabled children, disability pensions, one-time death benefits, and Funeral Services, with amounts specified by law being provided.
• However, if the health damage was caused by the vaccination or by another factor (such as an infection that occurred before or after the vaccination or other causes), the causal relationship will be discussed at a national review committee composed of experts in various fields such as vaccination, infectious disease medicine, and law. Benefits can be received if it is recognized as being caused by the vaccination.
• If you need to apply for benefits, please contact the examining physician or the Health Division of Inagi City.

Note: For more details, please visit the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare website.

• Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Website(External Link)

Regarding Vaccination When the Parent or Guardian is Not Accompanying

• If you wish to receive the vaccination without the accompaniment of a Parent or Guardian, please be sure to bring the "Consent Form for Receiving the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination."
• However, this is limited to those aged 13 and over as of the vaccination date.

• Consent form for receiving Human Papillomavirus Infection Vaccination (PDF 194.2KB)