The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine He started to get in Spain ten years ago. It is currently included in the official vaccine schedule for all girls from 11-12 years of age, although the Spanish Association of Pediatrics also recommends its administration in men.
Today we tell you everything you need to know about this vaccine and the diseases it protects against.
What is HPV, what diseases it produces and how is it transmitted?
The human papillomavirus (HPV), or papillomavirus, is transmitted by both men and women during sexual intercourse, and responsible for different diseases.
It is estimated that more than half of sexually active people get this virus at some time in their life, although in most cases the infection is due without problems.- If the virus persists in the body for many years (between 20 and 30) or if it belongs to certain types, it could cause the appearance of malignant tumors.
In the case of women, the virus is related in most cases with the appearance of cervical cancer. In the case of men have been described genital and other location cancers, and in both sexes HPV could also cause oropharyngeal tumors.
- Another problem caused by these viruses are the genital warts, a benign but annoying and frequent condition that affects both sexes.
People vaccinated against HPV develop defenses that prevent infection with these viruses in case of contact, although we must not forget that not all viruses involved in HPV tumors are contained in the vaccines available today.
On the other hand, it is also important to note that the HPV vaccine does not prevent other sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes ... So it is essential to talk and educate our children to lead a healthy sex life.
Why is it important to vaccinate in adolescence?
As we have said, HPV is transmitted through sexual intercourse and a large part of sexually active people ever contract this virus.
The vaccine is especially effective when the infection has not yet occurred., and this can only be guaranteed when sexual intercourse has not yet begun. Hence the importance of vaccinating preteens and teenagers.
In any case, the vaccine would also be indicated in adult women.
Should children also get vaccinated?
We have seen at the beginning that HPV is transmitted by both women and men, and in them he is also responsible for certain diseases, so the AEP Vaccine Advisory Committee recommends its administration also in children, although for the moment the vaccine is not included in the official calendar.
"The tetravalent HPV vaccine is approved for men and included in the official calendars of various countries. The CAV-AEP, especially given the growing evidence of the etiopathogenic role of HPV in certain types of cancer with a higher incidence in men, such as anal and head and neck cancer, has a favorable opinion on the recommendation to administer the vaccine to adolescents men from 11-12 years old "
In some countries like Australia, for example, both boys and girls have been receiving this vaccine for free for years, and according to data from the International Papillomavirus Society, Rate of cervical cancer affected has dropped dramatically, being able to become the first country in the world to eradicate this type of cancer.
When and how to administer the vaccine
Nowadays there are two vaccines on the market that protect against both types of papillomavirus which most often cause cancer: Cervarix and Gardasil. The latter also protects against benign genital warts, so its use is also authorized in men.
The vaccine is given through a shoulder injection to all girls and adolescents aged 11 to 14 (depending on the official vaccination schedules of each autonomous community). The complete schedule consists of 2 or 3 doses and ends in 6 months.
This is what the AEP says about it:
"It is administered to all the girls, preferably at 12 years old, to prevent cervical, anal cancer and precancerous lesions of the genital tract in women. The boys should also be informed and recommended on the possibility of receiving this vaccination, both HPV9, HPV4 or HPV2, which are authorized for men, although with HPV2 there is little experience even in men "
"Administer 2 doses at 11-12 years. Vaccination guidelines according to the vaccine preparation: for the tetravalent vaccine, 2 dose schedule (0 and 6 months) for girls between 9 and 13 years and 3 dose schedule (0, 2 and 6 months) in those over 14 years of age; bivalent and nonavalent with a 2 dose schedule (0 and 6 months) for girls between 9 and 14 years old and a 3 dose schedule (0, 1-2 and 6 months) for older 15 years "
"Its co-administration with MenC vaccines, hepatitis A and B vaccines, and with Tdpa is possible. Although there is still no data on co-administration with chickenpox vaccine, it should not pose problems."
Side effects of the vaccine
Since this vaccine began to be administered in our country, there are many people who have expressed their doubts and fear of vaccinating their daughters for fear of side effects. But nevertheless, WHO reaffirms its safety and recommends vaccination.
As we can read in this article published by the Vaccine Advisory Committee on the review of side effects carried out by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), advisory committee of the World Health Organization (WHO):
"After examining a large number of studies and reports of remarkable methodological quality, there are no reasons to support the relationship of vaccination against HPV with other adverse effects, apart from anaphylaxis and syncope, and continues to consider that HPV vaccination is extraordinarily safe"
"The syncopes, related to anxiety and stress of vaccination, are the most frequent adverse effect. No other relevant side effects have been identified. "
On its website, the AEP Vaccine Advisory Committee highlights the pain and redness at the puncture site as common symptoms, followed by a minor fever, and dizziness and lipotimias that could be reduced if the patient sits or lies down when receiving the vaccine.
On the serious side effects, the AEP ensures that they are "extraordinarily rare", and the WHO estimates an incidence of anaphylaxis after vaccination in 1.7 cases / million doses.Another extremely rare effect, with an incidence of 1 case per million doses of vaccine is Guillain-Barré syndrome, revealed in some studies done in Denmark, the United Kingdom, France and the USA.
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Via AEP Vaccine Advisory Committee
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