WHY SHOULD YOU GET THE HPV GARDASIL VACCINE?

Who needs the HPV vaccine?

How many doses are needed?

What about side effects?

The human papilloma virus is the most sexually transmitted virus that attacks the skin and mucous membranes of various parts of the human body. It attacks women and men equally. Most often, it affects young people immediately after starting to become sexually active. Many people infected with HPV may not show any signs or symptoms, but they can still transmit the virus to others without knowing they are carrying it. It is transmitted through sexual intercourse, usually during vaginal, anal and oral contact, but it can also be transmitted from the mother to her newborn during childbirth.

1. Who is the HPV vaccine for and when should it be given?

The HPV vaccine is routinely recommended for girls and boys aged 11 to 12 years. It is ideal for the vaccine to be given before they have had sexual contact or have been exposed to HPV. Once someone is infected with HPV, the vaccine may not be as effective or may not work at all. The vaccine response is better in young people than in the elderly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all 11- and 12-year-olds receive two doses of the HPV vaccine within 6 months, instead of the previously recommended three-dose schedule. Research has also shown that a two-dose schedule is effective for children under 15. The CDC now recommends HPV vaccination for all people under the age of 26 who have not been properly vaccinated.

2. Who should not get the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women or people who are moderately or severely ill. You should inform your doctor if you have any allergies, including yeast and latex allergies. Or if you have developed an allergic reaction to any of the components of the previous dose of the vaccine, it is also contraindicated for receiving the vaccine.

3. Can you benefit from the HPV vaccine if you are already sexually active?

The answer is yes. Even if you already have some type of HPV, you could still benefit from the vaccine, as it can protect you from other types of vaccines that you do not yet have. However, none of the vaccines can treat an existing HPV infection. Vaccines only protect you from specific types of HPV that you have not been exposed to before.

4. Does the HPV vaccine pose health risks or cause side effects?

Overall, the side effects are quite mild. The most common side effects of HPV vaccines are pain, swelling, or redness at the spot of the injection. Sometimes dizziness or fainting occurs after the injection. Staying in a sitting position for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine may reduce the risk of fainting. Besides that, headaches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or weakness may occur. However, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) continue to monitor vaccines to avoid unusual or serious problems.

5. Is the HPV vaccine a precondition for enrolling in school?

The HPV vaccine is part of the routine schedule for childhood vaccines. Whether the vaccine becomes a precondition for enrolling children in school is decided on a state-by-state basis.

6. Should women who have been vaccinated against HPV still have to do a PAP test?

The answer is yes. The HPV vaccine is not intended to replace PAP tests. Routine screening for cervical cancer through regular PAP tests at the age of 21 remains an essential part of a woman’s preventive health care.

7. What can you do to protect yourself from cervical cancer if you are not in the recommended group to receive the vaccine?

As mentioned above, the HPV virus is spread through sexual contact (oral, vaginal, and anal). HPV protection requires the use of a condom during sexual intercourse. To detect cervical cancer at the earliest stage, you should have regular PAP tests that begin at age 21. If you notice any signs or symptoms of vaginal bleeding after intercourse or after menopause, pelvic pain, or pain during intercourse, then you should inform your doctor in order to do further tests for early detection of cervical cancer.

In developed countries, especially in countries where the screening program has been successfully implemented, there has been a dramatic decline in the incidence and mortality from cervical cancer.

In the Republic of North Macedonia, in accordance with the Program for early detection of malignant diseases, there is free screening with PAP test for women of a certain age. Gynecologists invite women for an examination, and the woman needs to show interest and care for her own health and visit her gynecologist.

Health Minister Venko Filipce said it was perfectly safe for students to receive the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine despite the current epidemic with COVID-19.

The future of cervical cancer prevention consists of synergism of vaccination as primary prevention with screening (PAP test) as secondary prevention.