Human Papillomavirus (H.P.V.) Vaccine

What you need to know:

1. What is H.P.V.?
Genital human papillomavirus (H.P.V.) is a common sexually transmitted virus.

There are about 40 types of H.P.V. It is important mainly because it can cause cervical cancer in women. It is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women around the world.

H.P.V. is also associated with several less common types of cancer in both men and women. It can also cause genital warts and warts in the upper respiratory tract.

There is no treatment for H.P.V. infection, but the conditions it causes can be treated.

2. H.P.V. vaccine. Why get vaccinated?
H.P.V. vaccine is an inactivated (not live) vaccine which protects against 4 major types of H.P.V..

These include 2 types that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer and 2 types that cause about 90 percent of genital warts. H.P.V. vaccine can prevent most genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer.

3. Who should get H.P.V. vaccine and when?
Routine Vaccination
• H.P.V. vaccine is routinely recommended for girls 11 and 12 years of age.

Why is H.P.V. vaccine given to girls at this age?

It is important for girls to get H.P.V. vaccine before their first sexual contact – because they have not been exposed to H.P.V.. For these girls, the vaccine can prevent almost 100 percent of disease caused by the 4 types of H.P.V. targeted by the vaccine.

However, if a girl or woman is already infected with a type of H.P.V., the vaccine will not prevent disease from that type.

Catch-Up Vaccination

• The vaccine is also recommended for girls and women 13 through 26 years of age who did not receive it when they were younger.

HPV vaccine is given as a 3-dose series:
1st Dose: Now
2nd Dose: 2 months after Dose 1
3rd Dose: 6 months after Dose 1

4. Some girls or women should not get H.P.V. vaccine or should wait.
• Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to yeast, to any other component of H.P.V. vaccine, or to a previous dose of H.P.V. vaccine should not get the vaccine. Tell your doctor if the person getting the vaccine has any severe allergies.

• Pregnant women should not get the vaccine. The vaccine appears to be safe for both the mother and the unborn baby, but it is still being studied.Women who are breast feeding may safely get the vaccine.

• People with moderate or severe illnesses should wait until they recover.

5. What are the risks from H.P.V. vaccine?
H.P.V. vaccine does not appear to cause any serious side effects. The risk of any vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

Mild problems

• Pain at the injection site (about 8 people in 10)

• Redness or swelling at the injection site (about 1 person in 4)

• Mild fever (about 1 perso in 10)

• Itching at the injection site (about 1 person in 30)

• Moderate fever (about 1 person in 65)

These symptoms do not last long and go away on their own.

Life-threatening allergic reactions from vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it would be within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

6. What if there is a severe reaction?
What should I look for?
• Any unusual condition, such as a high fever or behavior changes. Signs of a serious allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heart beat or dizziness.

What should I do?

• Call a doctor, or get the person to a doctor right away.

• Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given.

7. How can I learn more?
• Ask your doctor or nurse. They can show you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information.

References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov (accessed February 2008) and Committee on Immunization, Philippine Society for Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (PSMID) & the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV). Handbook on Adult Immunization for Filipinos 2004.

© 2008 L.Y.F. Vaccination & Medical Services, Inc.
L.Y.F. Branches: *6750 Medical Clinic 2nd Floor, Fenina Bldg., 6750 Aguilar Ave (CAA Rd), Las Pinas City,
*16E Eisenhower Tower Annapolis Street, Greenhills, San Juan,
*Unit 2704 Paragon Plaza Condominium EDSA corner Reliance Ave.
Phone: (632) 381.2939 or (632) 401.3280