Q1. What are human papilloma viruses?
A group comprising more than 150 interrelated viruses, human papilloma viruses (HPVs) is named so because some of them can cause warts or papillomas in humans. Papillomas are benign growths but some types of HPVs can cause cancer. These cancer causing viruses are termed high-risk carcinogenic HPVs.
Q2. What are the advantages of different types of HPV vaccines?
The two types of HPV vaccines, quadrivalent and bivalent, both offer protection against HPV types 16 and 18 that cause cervical cancer. These vaccines induce the immune system to produce antibodies to the HPVs, preventing a person from getting infected with the virus. Gardasil is an HPV vaccine that offers almost 100% protection against to pre-cancerous changes in the cervix caused by HPV types 16 and 18, as well as against vaginal and vulvar pre-cancers and genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11. Cervarix is also an HPV vaccine that offers protection against HPV types 16 and 18. It also offers considerable cross-protection against other carcinogenic HPV types 31, 33 and 45
Q3. Who are recommended to get HPV vaccination?
Since HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, young girls should get this vaccine before they become sexually active. HPV vaccine can be given to girls aged 9 years or above. The vaccine is also recommended for women in the age group of 13 – 26 years who have never received the vaccine or have not completed all the doses. Boys and men in the age group of 9 – 26 also may get this vaccine as it can prevent genital warts.
Q4. What are the dosages required for HPV vaccine? What is the efficacy of the vaccine?
Three doses of HPV vaccine, spread over a period of six months, are required for total protection. The second dose should be given 2 months after the first dose and the third should be given 4 months after the second dose. It is advisable to give the same vaccine in all the three doses. However, women can be given either of the vaccines if the other one is not available. This option is not available in case of men. Both the HPV vaccines are effective for a minimum period of 5 years. The exact duration of the vaccine’s efficacy has not been conclusively determined. It may last beyond 5 years but currently a booster dose is recommended after 5 years. Though the vaccine is most effective if the person gets it before he/she becomes sexual active, sexually active people also gets protected from HPV with this vaccine. If a person has not been infected with any type of HPV, he/she would get full advantage of the vaccination. If a person has already been infected with one or more types of HPVs, he/she would get protection from other types of HPVs.
Q5. What are the side effects of HPV vaccines?
Though the vaccine offers protection against HPVs, it can cause a few side effects such as mild headache, fever, sickness, lightheadedness, diarrhoea and muscle pain. Allergic reaction in some cases can become severe. Such severe reactions, known as anaphylactic reactions, can cause difficulty in breathing and the person may sometimes collapse. In rare cases, there can also be sudden miscarriage or deformities of the babies in pregnant women. In addition, the HPV vaccines have some drawbacks. As a relatively new vaccine it offers limited protection at present. At present it is expensive and not yet affordable to the population from the lower socio-economic strata.
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