Everything You Need To Know About HPV Vaccine

India has indigenously developed its first HPV vaccine, to prevent cervical cancer in women. Impressive right? Indeed it is! With this recent advancement being a crucial step toward the prevention of HPV, many still continue to question its effectiveness. This article will answer all your queries related to the HPV vaccination. Further, it will also guide you about the benefits and disadvantages of getting jabbed.

But, before starting with what the HPV vaccine is and why it is so crucial, let us understand what HPV is, while unraveling its connection with cervical cancer. 

What Is HPV?

HPV, or Human Papilloma Virus, belongs to the family Papillomaviridae. Over 200 genotypes/strains of HPV have been discovered, out of which 15-20 are cancer-causing.¹ HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in both males and females.² It passes from one person to another through direct contact with an infected person during sexual activity.³

In females, it is mostly transmitted through penetrative vaginal or anal intercourse, but the infection has also been seen in self-reported ‘virgins’.³ The non-sexual transmission of HPV infection can transfer either horizontally or vertically. The horizontal transfer can be through fomite (any infectious object), fingers, mouth, or skin contact, whereas vertically, it can transfer from mother to child during pregnancy.⁴ 

The Link Between HPV And Cervical Cancer: Understanding The Statistics And Risk Factors

As per research conducted over the last two decades, it has been established that persistent HPV-16 and 18 infection is a strong causal precursor of cervical cancer ³ whereas HPV-6 and 11 contribute to over 90% benign genital warts (abnormal growth on genitals). Many other HPV strains have been known to cause anal, vulvar, penile or oropharyngeal cancers.¹ Cancer of the penis is rare and accounts for less than 0.5% of men.⁵ It is also established that women with HPV infection are six times more likely to develop cervical cancer than women without it. ⁶

As per WHO, more than 95% of cervical cancer is due to the Human papillomavirus. In India,  approx 87.8% to 96.7% of cervical cancer patients have HPV infection.⁷ Thus, the rising numbers each year raise various concerns related to HPV prevention, which, in turn, can prevent cancer caused by it.  

Now, let’s understand some methods that can help prevent HPV.

How Can We Prevent HPV Infection?

The best possible way to prevent all genital HPV infections could be abstinence from sexual contact and a lifetime of mutual monogamy, but this is not a practical method for all. Thus, a barrier method of contraception like a condom or dental dam during sexual intercourse can confer protection against HPV infection. However, there is no clear evidence for it. ¹ 

Curious about the measures to effectively prevent HPV infection? Read on to get answers to your queries.

A Key Tool In Preventing HPV Infection

The most powerful tools to prevent genital HPV infection are ‘screening and vaccination’. However, women in rural India do not have access to effective screening programmes despite national guidelines.⁸ Thus, it is important to vaccinate yourself to stay shielded from HPV infection.

What Is HPV Vaccine?

HPV infection induces an immune response against HPV-specific antigens, which helps activate your immune system to fight against it. Therapeutic (to cure the infection) and prophylactic (to prevent the infection) are the 2 types of vaccines considered for HPV prevention. ⁹

Prophylactic vaccines produce specific antibodies identical to the HPV and prevent the infection. Basically, these antibodies create an immune response in the body and prepare it for future encounters with Human Papilloma Virus. On the other hand, therapeutic vaccines protect HPV-positive people against tumor development.⁹

The three main HPV vaccinations available in many countries worldwide include - bivalent, quadrivalent and nonavalent vaccines. All these vaccines effectively prevent HPV infection caused by type 16 & 18, which account for 70% of cervical cancers worldwide.⁹ The quadrivalent vaccine also helps prevent anogenital warts - a genital disease caused by HPV-6 and 11. ⁹

Recently, the Indian government, Department of Biotechnology, along with the Serum Institute of India has also developed its first indigenous quadrivalent HPV vaccine or human papillomavirus vaccine to prevent cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer caused due to HPV infection in women. ¹⁰

HPV Vaccine Age Limit: When Should You Get Vaccinated?

Ideally, HPV vaccination must be administered before getting involved in any sort of sexual activity.¹¹ It is recommended to get the first HPV vaccine dose between 11 and 12 years, while the second dose must be completed before the child turns 15. However, the first dose can be given starting at age of 9 years.¹² Additionally, it should also be noted that those who start the vaccination series from 15-26 years, or those who have weakened immunity, need three doses of the HPV vaccine. ¹²

Another important observation to be made is that two doses of the HPV vaccine or  human papillomavirus vaccine are recommended at an interval of 6-12 months. But, if you take two doses less than 5 months apart, you will be required to take a third dose as well to ensure its efficiency. ¹²

Post the age of 27 years, HPV vaccines are less effective as many people are already exposed to HPV by this age group. Thus, adults in the age group 27-45 years who are not vaccinated may decide to get jabbed after speaking with their doctors. ¹²

So far, we have understood all about the HPV infection, its preventive measures and appropriate doses to be administered. Now, let’s understand the pros and cons of getting the HPV vaccine.

The Benefits of the HPV Vaccine

• HPV vaccine prevents the spread of HPV infection in both females and males. This,  in turn, prevents  cervical, penile, anogenital, vulvar, vaginal and oropharyngeal cancers caused due to high-risk HPV infections. 
• The vaccine decreases the chances of men getting sexually-transmitted lesions from their female sexual partners. 
• It also helps prevent the spread of genital warts in both males and females.

Hpv Vaccine Side Effects

1. The side effects of HPV vaccine are the primary concerns associated with it, which include fainting (common after injection, especially in teens and preteens), temporary redness and pain in the muscle, dizziness, nausea and headache. 
2. Ethical issues relating to human sexuality- There is a lot of parental resistance to vaccination due to a lack of knowledge about its importance, safety concerns over the vaccine’s side effects and the fear of children getting attracted towards sexual information at an early age. 
3. The high cost of researching vaccines contributes to their reduced affordability, which limits access to these vaccines for rural and lower-income populations.

In Conclusion

HPV infection is a prevalent STI among sexually active individuals worldwide, with approximately 5.5 million cases reported annually. The increasing number of cases each year underscores the urgency of screening and vaccination efforts. Increasing awareness about the importance of vaccination and ensuring that children receive the vaccine at the appropriate age is an effective strategy to curb the spread of HPV infection. However, it's worth noting that the HPV vaccine isn't recommended for individuals above 26 years due to the high chances of pre-exposure to HPV.

Aside from vaccination, HPV screening is an essential preventative measure against HPV infection. Sadly, many people remain unaware of their silent HPV infections due to limited government screening programs and the absence of noticeable symptoms. Thankfully, LifeCell's HPV test kit can address these concerns. Our self-collection kit can identify 24 high-risk HPV strains, including those that could lead to cancer. You can take charge of your health from the comfort of your own home with our kit. Additionally, our healthcare professionals are available to give insights into your reports. So, don't wait until it's too late to take action - Say yes to vaccination and regular screening to protect yourself from HPV infection.

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