Whittlesea council is working to boost its human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation uptake in its latest round of vaccinations.
The council delivers the vaccine for free to years 7 and 9 students in the City of Whittlesea.
HPV is a sexually transmitted disease and females are vaccinated primarily to prevent cervical cancer. Males are vaccinated to prevent cancer in the penis and anus.
In term one, 82 per cent of year 7 boys and 76 per cent of year 9 boys received the vaccine.
Immunisation co-ordinator Tanya Perrin said uptake was lower than expected because some students were not taking the permission slip home and some parents questioned whether the vaccine was necessary.
Term two vaccinations began last week at Epping Secondary College.
For more information, email teamimmunisation@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or call 9217 2276.
