HPV Vaccine

From lecture, we learned that HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted disease, and has the potential to cause cervical cancer as well. Therefore, it is crucial for sexually active men and women to receive the Gardasil vaccination which can protect up to 80% of HPV infections. According to an article published by the Mayo Clinic, the HPV vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer if given before a girl is exposed to the virus. Additionally, it can prevent vaginal and vulvar cancer in women. The article also states that in theory, vaccinating boys and girls can help protect girls from the virus by decreasing transmission.

The vaccine is routinely recommended for girls and boys ages 11-12, before sexual contact is experienced. The CDC now recommends that health care providers administer two doses of the HPV vaccine at least six months apart instead of the previous 3 dose schedule. Researchers also say that the vaccine can still provide protection from some strains even if you receive the vaccine after you have become sexually active. Clinical trials show that the vaccine prevents infection in nearly 100% of persistent cervical infections with HPV types 16 and 18 that cause about 70% of cervical cancers. Clinical trials also found that Gardasil 9 is as effective as Gardasil for the prevention of disease caused by 4 shared HPV types based on similar antibody responses.

According to an article published by the National Cancer Institute, the World Health Organization stated that the Gardasil 9 and Gardasil HPV vaccines have equivalent efficacy and the Cervarix vaccine has been found to provide partial protection against a few HPV types no included in the vaccine that can cause cancer, called cross-protection. The article then goes on to state that a 2019 meta-analysis of girls-only HPV vaccination in 14 countries including 60 million vaccinated people showed strong evidence of the vaccine’s effectiveness. Infections with HPV 16 and 18 decreased in 83% of girls 15-19 years old, anogenital warts decreased 67% in the same age group, and prevalence of precancerous lesions that can lead to cervical cancer decreased 51%. Before the HPV vaccines were licensed they were tested for safety and the most common problem was brief soreness and local injection site symptoms. These seem like similar problems experienced with other vaccines and I think that the benefits of receiving the vaccine far outweigh the risks. It is important for everyone to get vaccinated in order to provide some sort of herd immunity and possible elimination of the disease.