Frequently asked questions on HPV vaccination
This page is a selection of different questions that Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust has received about cervical screening. The answers have been reviewed by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trusts medical advisers.
What is HPV and why should girls be vaccinated for it?
HPV is an extremely common virus. There are over 100 identified strains of HPV. Some types of HPV can cause changes the cells of the cervix creating abnormalities. Once these abnormalities become severe they may develop into cancer.
Girls who are offered the HPV vaccine have an opportunity to protect themselves from two high risk strains of HPV that cause 70% of all cervical cancers.
Is HPV the same virus that causes genital warts?
Yes, however, there are about 100 types of HPV, the majority of which do not cause any health problems. Research has identified specific HPV types that are 'high risk' and 'low risk' for cervical cancer. The most common types that cause cervical cancer are 'high risk' HPV types 16 and 18. The 'low risk' types do not actually cause cervical cancer, instead they cause genital warts. The two commonest low risk types are types 6 and 11.
Cervical cancer and genital warts are caused by different types of HPV, so having genital warts does not mean that you are more likely to get cancer.
Will the vaccine protect against genital warts?
The first vaccine to protect against HPV received its European license in October, 2006. It is called Gardasil and protects against four HPV types: the two most common HPV types that cause cervical cancer, HPV types 16 and 18 as well as the two most common HPV types that cause genital warts, HPV types 6 and 11. The other licensed vaccine, called Cervarix protects against high risk HPV types 16 and 18.
When will be the best time to be vaccinated?
Women will need to be vaccinated before they come into contact with the virus. As the virus is transmitted by skin to skin contact, through sexual activity, this age will vary. In practical terms, probably the most effective and easiest way to reach everybody is for girls to be vaccinated either just before leaving primary school or during their first year at secondary school.
How long will the protection last for?
HPV vaccination has been shown to prevent infection and pre-cancer for at least 6 years but it is expected to last longer. Ongoing studies will show how much longer you will be protected for and whether booster shots will be required.
Will being vaccinated prevent all cases of cervical cancer?
Gardasil and Cervarix protect against the two most common HPV types that cause cancer, types 16 and 18. It has been estimated that this will prevent about 75% of cervical cancers. You should note however, that it is important to attend for regular screening even if you have been vaccinated so that abnormalities caused by other HPV types may be detected.
What are the vaccines and where can I get them?
Two HPV vaccines have been developed. Gardasil, developed by Sanofi Pasteur MSD received its European license in September, 2006. The other vaccine, Cervarix, developed by Glaxo Smith Kline received its European license in September 2007 and is the chosen vaccine for the HPV vaccination programme taking place in schools and for teenage girls up to 18.
For more information about the vaccination programme for teenage girls click on the relevant link below:
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
Ireland is currently not running an HPV vaccination programme
What are the side effects of the vaccine?
Thousands of girls and women of different ages took part in the clinical trials for the HPV vaccines . These trials found that the vaccine offers 99% protection against infection with the high-risk types of HPV in girls who haven’t previously been infected with the virus. Side effects from both vaccines are usually mild. Side effects include:
- Very common side effects (side effects which may occur in more than 1 per 10 doses of vaccine) reported by girls who have received the vaccine are:
- pain or discomfort at the injection site
- redness or swelling at the injection site
- headache
- aching muscles, muscle tenderness or weakness (not caused by exercise)
- tiredness
- Common (side effects which may occur in less than 1 per 10 but more than 1 per 100 doses of vaccine):
- gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain
- itching, red skin rash, hives (urticaria)
- joint pain
- fever (≥ 38°C)
- Uncommon (side effects which may occur in less than 1 per 100 but more than 1 per 1,000 doses of vaccine):
- upper respiratory tract infection (infection of the nose, throat or trachea)
- dizziness
- other injection site reactions such as hard lump, tingling or numbness.
What about men, can they have the vaccine?
Currently, the HPV vaccination programme does not cover boys. Cancers caused by HPV in men include anal and penile cancer. Fortunately these are very rare. If men were to receive the vaccination it might provide herd immunity again cancer-causing HPV [1].
If HPV is so common, and it affects nearly all of us, why don't more women get cervical cancer?
The majority of women clear the infection through their immune systems but for those who do not, regular smear tests can pick up abnormalities in cervical cells before a cancer develops. These abnormal cells can then be removed and in the majority of cases this is highly successful. In a very few women, changes occur more rapidly, in the interval between cervical screening, or occasionally the changes are not detected by a cervical screening.
Can these vaccines help if you already have a cervical screening result or cervical cancer?
At the present time, there is no vaccine that can treat women after they have been affected.
If I have been diagnosed with HPV should I get the vaccination?
The vaccine prevents infection but does not clear it. If you have been diagnosed with HPV, then you do not need to get vaccinated.
If I have been treated for abnormal cells / cervical cancer, should I now get vaccinated?
The vaccine prevents infection. It is not know if people who have been treated in the past will benefit and the vaccine is therefore not recommended in this situation.
Would you encourage you daughter to be vaccinated?
Yes, I would because we know that nearly all women will get an HPV infection at some point in their lives and I would want to protect my daughter as far as possible against the risk of abnormal smears and cervical cancer.
What do you think is the most important message to get across about HPV vaccines?
HPV vaccines have the potential to reduce the number of cases of cervical cancer and the number of women who have to be treated for abnormal smears in generations to come. For women who are already part of the screening programme, the best protection against cervical cancer is to continue going for regular cervical screening. It is essential that all girls who are vaccinated also attend cervical screening when invited.
References
- Szarewski A (2008) HPV vaccines: peering through the fog. Journal of Family planning and Reproductive Health Care, 34 (4), 207-209.
Last updated: 17/03/2011
