HPV vaccine is used to protect the person from certain types of cancer as well as the sexually transmitted infection known as human papillomavirus (HPV). Certain strains of HPV have been linked to be a major contributing factor to the development of cervical cancer as well as the cancer of anus, penis, vagina, cervix, vulva, and throat.
With the HPV vaccine, it is possible to reduce your risk of cervical cancer and genital warts almost completely, if the vaccine is taken at the right time. As more cervical cancer cases are being reported across the world, doctors are recommending the vaccine as one of the most effective forms of prevention and cervical cancer treatment. So, let’s get into all the important facts about the HPV vaccine that you must know.
Yes. Much like every other vaccine, it is one of the very few ways that you can prevent a condition from happening with some certainty. In the case of the HPV vaccine, the efficacy rates have been globally tested to be close to perfect in terms of preventing cervical cancer and genital warts. However, since cervical cancer is the most commonly associated with the HPV vaccine, people often think the HPV vaccine is only for women. No, in fact, men also need the vaccine to protect them against other types of cancer like anal cancer or cancer of the penis.
The HPV vaccine has an ideal schedule, which helps women reduce their risk of cervical cancer by up to 98%. There are also three different types of vaccines available for girls within the ideal age group and two different vaccines for women over that age. Let’s learn about the HPV vaccine schedule in India, the different vaccines, and who is recommended.
HPV Vaccine Schedule
It is recommended that the HPV vaccine is taken starting from the age of 9. The ideal vaccination schedule for the HPV vaccine is between the ages of 9 to 14 for both girls and boys. If the vaccination is completed in this timeline, only two doses are required to complete the vaccination. Ages 9 through 14 are recommended highly for getting the cervical cancer vaccine because these vaccines work best when you have not already been exposed to any strain of HPV.
Even if you are not able to get the vaccine in the ideal age range, you can get it at the age of 15 or older. In this age range you would need three doses of the vaccine to complete your schedule.
It is estimated that almost 80% of sexually active people have one or multiple strains of HPV. It is estimated that there are almost 100 strains of HPV, among which 13 are known to be contributors of cervical and other types of cancer. If you have not had the opportunity to get the vaccine before adulthood and become sexually active, it is still possible to get the vaccine.
In such cases, the person is considered an immunocompromised subject and the vaccination required in such cases requires a total of 6 doses to complete the schedule. It should be noted that the vaccine in these cases can only protect the subject against the strains of HPV that they don’t have already.
Let’s look at a detailed view of the HPV vaccination schedule in India.
Yes, getting the vaccine is important for three main reasons
Today, India totals to almost one-fourth of all deaths from cervical cancer in a year, worldwide. This is mainly because of a lack of awareness when it comes to cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine. With proper vaccination, it is possible to protect yourself from the dangers of cervical and various other genital cancers, which can be life-threatening. So, if you have not gotten the vaccine yet, please consider doing so as it will help you reduce your risk significantly and help your efforts towards cervical cancer treatment.
Yes, there are side effects to every vaccine including the HPV vaccine. However, please note that the HPV vaccine doesn’t have any serious side effects in most cases. Let’s take a look at the common side effects of the HPV vaccine.
In some cases, the subject can experience fainting after getting the HPV vaccine. However, this mostly applies to children between the ages of 9 to 14 getting the vaccine. And even in that age group, this is a common side effect of any vaccine that is administered. To tackle this, doctors usually recommend taking the vaccine lying down in children to avoid any injury due to fainting.
Apart from the mentioned side effects, an extremely rare serious side effect of the HPV vaccine can be anaphylaxis caused by the components of the vaccine. This is an extreme allergic reaction of the body to any of the vaccine components. It could prove to be fatal without proper medical help, but it is very rare.
Vaccines are voluntary and not taking them must come with a complete understanding of the risks you are willing to undertake with your decision. As a parent, doctors will recommend you highly to opt for the HPV and various other vaccines for your children as preventative measures for serious ailments.
Even if you didn’t have the opportunity to get the vaccines as a child, as an adult, there is still a chance for you to go for the HPV vaccine. Getting the vaccine prevents several types of cancer and not just cervical cancer too. The pros outweigh the possibility of side effects significantly in terms of getting the HPV vaccine, so unless doctors recommend you to not take it due to underlying health conditions. It is highly recommended that you do take the vaccine.
Now that you know all the important things about the HPV vaccine, you must talk to your doctor and discuss taking the vaccine. If you want to learn more about cervical cancer vaccines, feel free to check out MASSH. We offer guidance with all the necessary vaccines for children and adults to help you make informed decisions about vaccines, their importance, and risks involved. Check out our website to learn more about MASSH or visit us today for a consultation with our experts.
For women in the 30 to 39 age group, cervical cancer is the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer. So let’s find out how common it is and preventa...
Written by MASSH
Feb 24, 2024
Women over the age of 15 are susceptible to cervical cancer. Only with preventative measures and regular screening tests, the cancer risk can be...
Written by MASSH
Feb 05, 2024
