Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know.
Who Should Get HPV Vaccine?
HPV vaccination is recommended at ages 11–12 years. HPV vaccines can be given starting at age 9 years. All preteens need HPV vaccination, so they are protected from HPV infections that can cause cancer later in life.
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Teens and young adults through age 26 years who didn’t start or finish the HPV vaccine series also need HPV vaccination
CDC recommends that 11- to 12-year-olds receive two doses of HPV vaccine 6 to 12 months apart.
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The first dose is routinely recommended at ages 11–12 years old. The vaccination can be started at the age of 9 years.
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Only two doses are needed if the first dose was given before the 15th birthday.
Teens and young adults who start the series later, at ages 15 through 26 years, need three doses of the HPV vaccine.
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Children aged 9 through 14 years who have received two doses of HPV vaccine less than 5 months apart will need a third dose.
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Three doses are also recommended for people aged 9 through 26 years who have weakened immune systems.
Who Should Not Get HPV Vaccine?
Tell your doctor about any severe allergies. Some people should not get some HPV vaccines if:
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They have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any ingredient of an HPV vaccine, or a previous dose of HPV vaccine.
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They have an allergy to yeast (Gardasil and Gardasil 9).
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They are pregnant.
What Types of HPV Vaccines Are There?
Bivalent HPV vaccine (Cervarix, 2vHPV) targets HPV types 16 and 18, the primary culprits behind cervical cancers.
Quadrivalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil, 4vHPV) focuses on HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. Types 6 and 11 cause genital warts, while types 16 and 18 are linked to various cancers.
HPV vaccines, such as Cervarix and Gardasil, play a vital role in public health for several reasons:
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Prevention of HPV Infections:
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HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections globally. By vaccinating individuals before they become sexually active, these vaccines can prevent HPV infections altogether or reduce the likelihood of exposure to high-risk HPV strains.
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Reduction in HPV-Related Cancers:
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HPV is strongly linked to various cancers, including cervical, anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. Vaccination significantly lowers the risk of developing these cancers by targeting the HPV strains most commonly associated with malignancies (such as types 16 and 18).
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Protection Against Genital Warts:
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Certain HPV strains, particularly types 6 and 11, are responsible for causing genital warts. Vaccination with Gardasil protects against these strains, reducing the incidence of genital warts and related discomfort.
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Herd Immunity:
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Wide-scale vaccination against HPV not only protects vaccinated individuals but also contributes to herd immunity. When a large portion of the population is vaccinated, the spread of HPV is inhibited, leading to a decreased risk of infection for unvaccinated individuals as well.
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Long-Term Cost Savings:
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HPV-related diseases, including cervical cancer and genital warts, impose significant economic burdens on healthcare systems and individuals. Vaccination programs help mitigate these costs by preventing HPV infections and associated diseases, reducing the need for expensive treatments and procedures.
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Empowerment of Individuals:
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HPV vaccination empowers individuals to take control of their sexual health by reducing their risk of HPV-related diseases. It provides a proactive approach to preventing certain cancers and genital warts, promoting overall well-being and quality of life.
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Cancer Prevention Efforts:
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Given the strong association between HPV infection and certain cancers, HPV vaccination aligns with broader cancer prevention initiatives. By targeting the root cause of HPV-related cancers, these vaccines complement screening and early detection efforts, further reducing the burden of cancer in communities.
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How Effective Are These Vaccines?
HPV vaccination has shown remarkable effectiveness in India. These vaccines have the potential to prevent over 90% of HPV-related cancers.
Since the recommendation of HPV vaccination in 2006, there has been a significant decline in infections with HPV types responsible for most HPV cancers and genital warts, by 88% among adolescent girls and 81% among young adult women. This decline indicates a substantial reduction in the prevalence of HPV-related diseases.
There has also been a noticeable decrease in the incidence of genital warts among teenagers and young adults, indicating the preventive impact of HPV vaccination.
Moreover, HPV vaccination has led to a decrease in the number of precancerous lesions of the cervix in young women, highlighting its role in cervical cancer prevention.
The protection offered by HPV vaccines has demonstrated long-term efficacy. Individuals who received HPV vaccines have been monitored for at least about 12 years, showing sustained high levels of protection against HPV without evidence of diminishing effectiveness over time.
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
Like any medication, vaccines can have side effects, although most people who receive HPV vaccines experience no adverse effects. Some individuals may report mild side effects such as a sore arm at the injection site.
The most common side effects of HPV vaccines are usually mild and may include:
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Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
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Low-grade fever
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Dizziness or fainting (adolescents may be more prone to fainting after vaccination)
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Headache or fatigue
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Nausea
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Muscle or joint pain
To prevent fainting and related injuries, adolescents should remain seated or lying down during vaccination and for 15 minutes after receiving the injection.
Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) following vaccination are extremely rare. Individuals with severe allergies to any component of the vaccine should not receive it.
