From September 2026, the National Immunisation Programme will be using a different HPV vaccine: Gardasil 9. This vaccine protects against more types of HPV than the previous vaccine.
HPV (human papillomavirus) is common and can cause cancer in both women and men. Each year, an estimated 1,200 women and 400 men in the Netherlands get cancer from HPV. HPV can cause cancer in the oral and throat cavities, vagina, labia, penis, anus and cervix. Vaccination greatly reduces the risk of these forms of cancer later in life.
Advisory opinion of the Health Council
Boys and girls are offered an HPV vaccination through the National Immunisation Programme around the age of ten. HPV vaccination is very effective in the prevention of HPV infections. That was also the conclusion of the Health Council of the Netherlands. However, the Health Council of the Netherlands has recommended switching to a vaccine that protects against more types of HPV. Most European countries are also using Gardasil 9 to vaccinate against HPV.
Differences between the HPV vaccines
On 1 September, the National Immunisation Programme will therefore switch to the Gardasil 9 vaccine. Gardasil 9 protects against seven types of HPV that can cause cancer, as well as two types of HPV that can cause genital warts. Cervarix has been used until September. Cervarix protects against the two types of HPV that cause most cases of HPV-related types of cancer. It also offers partial protection against three other types of HPV that regularly cause cancer.
Safety
Both vaccines have been extensively studied and found to be safe. Severe or permanent side effects have not been found. Mild side effects, such as a painful arm, muscle ache, headache or mild fever, usually go away on their own within a few days.
High protection
Both vaccines work very well. Children who have already had 2 injections with Cervarix, do not need an extra injection with Gardasil 9. They are already well protected against the main cancer-causing types. If a child has had 1 injection of Cervarix, it can get the second injection with Gardasil 9. This combination is safe and also provides good protection against HPV-related cancers. In some countries, this is the standard combination.