Preventing cervical cancer – make sure you get all three doses

The University Health Service would like to remind staff that the free cervical cancer vaccine is available for women aged 18 - 26 with a Medicare Card, until June 2009.

The Health Service has given 1,600 doses of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) to patients but only 40 per cent have returned to receive all three doses.

It is important for women to complete the course for it to be effective. The vaccine is normally given at zero, two and six months but catch-up doses can be made up to 12 months after the first vaccination.

The University Health Service encourages all women to complete the full course of vaccinations and inform their doctor if they have a dose elsewhere so their medical records can be updated.

The Health Service is on the Ground Floor of the Quadrangle Building. Phone: 93855425. For more information about the program, go to http://www.health.gov.au/cervicalcancer.

The Centre will close on Friday 19 December and re-open on Monday 5 January.

After Hours Service is available from: Eastern Suburbs Medical Service on 1300729749.