HPV vaccine uptake lags in New Zealand as sexual myths hinder school rollout

PremiumHome / New ZealandEva de JongMultimedia journalist·NZ Herald·9 Oct, 2026 09:00 PM11 mins to read‌The HPV vaccine was introduced in September 2008.The HPV vaccine was introduced in September 2008.It has been 18 years since a cancer-preventing vaccine was rolled out in New Zealand schools. But its uptake has stalled because of damaging myths about sexual activity and schools declining to offer the vaccine, writes Eva de Jong. Despite its cancer-preventing benefits, the HPV vaccine has struggled to achieve AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.