How Safe Is the HPV Vaccine?

A new study published in May 2018 confirmed the safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine developed to protect against cervical cancer. According to this new and most comprehensive study, the human papillomavirus–HPV vaccine reduces precancerous changes without serious side effects. These findings suggest that parents should receive greater encouragement to confidently have their children vaccinated during middle school.

HPV vaccineprotects against human papillomavirus, which is associated primarily with cervical cancer as well as head and neck, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal and rectal cancers. By protecting against this infection, it prevents abnormal changes in cervical cells and significantly reduces the number of cancer cases.

- Related topic: Cervical Cancer Symptoms and Treatment

What Did the HPV Vaccine Safety Study Find?

• The research examined 26 studies involving 73.000 women worldwide. Most women were younger than 26, and the period up to 8 years after vaccination was studied.
• As expected, strong evidence was found that the HPV vaccine protects women aged 15-26 against cellular changes that could develop into cancerin the cervix.
• In women vaccinated against HPV at ages 25-45, protection against precancerous lesions is lower. Researchers identified the main reasons as the possibility of HPV exposure before vaccination and greater immune system activity during its developmental period.
• The HPV vaccine was also found not to cause any serious side effects.

The results of these large studies indicate that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective.

In 2007, Australia became the first country to introduce the HPV vaccine. It has been used in the United Kingdom since 2008. In our country, it is still too early to see a decline in cervical cancer because HPV vaccination has only recently begun, but its preventive effect will become clearer over time.

HPV Vaccination Recommendations

• Vaccination is recommended for girls and women aged 9-26 and boys and men aged 9-21. 
• Age matters for HPV vaccine immunity. The ideal vaccination age for both sexes is recommended as 11-12. However, your doctor may recommend vaccination from age 9.
• HPV vaccination before first sexual contact is important. It can provide 100% protection against the 4 most common HPV types in children who have not been exposed to HPV.
• Routine initiation of HPV vaccination is recommended at ages 11-12. For those aged 9-14, a 2-dose schedule is recommended, with the second dose given 6 to 12 months after the first. 
• A third dose is recommended for children and adolescents aged 9-14 who received 2 HPV vaccine doses less than 6 months apart. However, 2 doses are reported to be sufficient if the interval between the two doses in this age group was at least 6 months.
• Adolescents and young adults beginning vaccination at ages 15-26 are reported to need 3 HPV vaccine doses to protect against cancer-causing HPV infections.
• Children and young people of both sexes aged 9-26 with weakened immune systems are recommended to complete three doses. There are currently 3 types of HPV vaccine : 2-type (bivalent), 4-type (quadrivalent) and 9-type (nonavalent) HPV vaccines.

Related Topics:

- The Story Behind the Discovery of the HPV Vaccine, Vaccine Types and Administration Recommendations

- Australia Is About to Eliminate This Cancer Entirely

- Treatment of Gynecologic (Female-Specific) Cancers – Advances in 2017 and 2018