What is HPV vaccination?
Human papilloma viruses(HPV) are responsible for viral warts (and related variants) as well as various carcinomas including oral and respiratory squamous cell carcinomas, anogenital cancers and cervical cancers. HPV vaccination aims to protect from recipients from cancers predominantly and to a lesser extent, from the benign lesions.
What are the commercially available HPV vaccines?
HPV16 and HPV18 cause 70% of cervical cancers, due to which all available vaccines aim for immunity against these. The available vaccines include Cerverix (HPV 16,18), Gardasil(HPV 6,11,16,18) and Gardasil-9 (HPV 6,11,16,18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58).
When is the vaccine given?
Vaccination can be started at age 9 and is recommended through age 26 years. A 3-dose schedule is recommended for people who get the first dose on or after their 15th birthday. In a 3-dose series, the second dose should be given 1–2 months after the first dose, and the third dose should be given 6 months after the first dose (0, 1–2, 6-month schedule).
Is HPV vaccines useful in males?
HPV vaccination can prevent future infections that can lead to cancers of the penis, anus, and back of the throat in men.
