What is the HPV vaccine and how does it protect you?
The HPV vaccine is a recombinant vaccine that contains proteins from the human papillomavirus (HPV) envelope and it protects you by preventing infection with certain types of HPV. The vaccines available today protect against two, four or nine types of HPV:
a. Bipolar: against oncogenic types 16 & 18
b. Quadruple: against oncogenic types 16 & 18, and non-oncogenic types 6 & 11
c. Nine-potent: against oncogenic types 16,18,31,33,45,52,58 and non-oncogenic types 6 & 11
Provides protection against 90% of cases of cervical cancer, genital warts and 89% of precancerous lesions of the proctogenital region and mouth, associated with HPV.
Why is preventive vaccination so important for both women and men?
Both genders have a chance to carry the HPV virus and without them even knowing it. Systematic HPV vaccination, especially at an age when sexual intercourse has not yet begun, can lead to the eradication of cancer-related cells. Prophylactic vaccination protects women from cervical cancer. Prophylactic vaccination protects men and women against generalized warts, precancerous lesions of the rectum and mouth, and anal cancer associated with HPV.
What ages does the HPV Vaccine target?
Aimed at girls and boys, women and men aged nine and over. Although it is necessary at an age when sexual intercourse has not yet begun, HPV vaccination is not just for young people. The transmission from the virus can be made at any time to a sexually active person. If someone has already been infected with one type of the virus, he/she can be protected against other types that have not been performed and that are contained in the vaccine. Vaccination can not cure an existing HPV infection, but it can reduce the chance of its recurrence.
How often is the HPV Vaccine administered?
The vaccine is given in 3 doses over a period of 6 months. Full protection is provided after the 3rd dose. According to the latest studies, its prophylactic action lasts for almost a decade.
Are there any contraindications to the HPV Vaccine?
The main contraindications to the HPV vaccine are pregnancy, fever and allergy to vaccine components (fungi, mold). Patients with immunosuppression may not develop enough antibodies after vaccination.
Christoforos Loizidis MD.
Dermatologist-Venereologist
Learn more : Warts
