How many vaccines against HPV are there?
Internationally, there are three available types of vaccines. Gardasil prevents infection with four types of the virus (6, 11, 16, 18), while Cervarix protects against HPV 16 and 18. Gardasil 9 is now the most popular and prevents the infection with four HPV types plus five additional cancer-causing types (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33 ,45, 52 and 58). It is worth mentioning that HPV types 16 and 18 cause about 70% of cervical cancers, while HPV types 6 and 11 cause 90% of genital warts.
Haw many doses of the HPV vaccine are needed?
The HPV vaccine is given in doses. The number of different dosing schedules depend on the age of the person to be vaccinated. In particular:
- Young women who start vaccination at the age of 15 or older need three doses to be fully protected, over a period of six months in total.
- Girls who start vaccination before their 15th birthday need only two doses in an interval of at least six months.
When should HPV vaccine be done?
The vaccine is recommended for every girl and worman aged between 9 and 26. It is best recommended for girls aged 11 or 12, i.e. before having sexual intercourses. If someone is infected, the vaccine might not be as effective or might not work at all. The vaccination against HPV during pregnancy is contraindicated. It should be noted, however, that in many countries abroad (e.g., U.S.A., Australia) the corresponding vaccination of boys is also recommended. Finally, the use of HPV vaccine in the U.S.A. has been recently approved for the ages of 27-45, too.
Does the HPV vaccine have any health risks or side effects?
Overall, the effects are usually mild. Available HPV vaccines have undergone extensive safety testing before being authorized. The most common side effects of HPV vaccines include soreness, swelling or redness at the injection site. Sometimes, dizziness or fainting occurs after the injection. Remaining seated for 15 minutes after the injection can reduce the risk of fainting. In addition, headaches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or weakness may also occur. It should be noted that the HPV vaccine does not cause virus infection and it is not associated with carcinogenicity.
The effectiveness of HPV vaccine
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective. Clinical research has shown that its protective effect reaches almost 100% in terms of precancerous lesions of the cervix and genital warts, as long as it is administered before the onset of sexual activity. To date, protection against targeted HPV types has been found to last for at least 10 years.
Do women still need the PAP test if they have been vaccinated against HPV?
The HPV vaccine protects against the most common, but not all, types of the virus that cause cervical cancer. In addition, when administered after sexual intercourse, it cannot cure HPV infections or cervical lesions that may already exist. Therefore, the need for regular gynecological examinations with PAP test and, where required, the latest molecular techniques, is still important for all women, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated against HPV.
Can the HPV vaccine protect from other sexually transmitted diseases?
No. The use of condoms is still the best way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
