HPV Vaccine for Cervical Cancer – On Thursday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared that the government would incorporate the HPV vaccination into its immunisation schedule. The government will support girls between the ages of 9 and 14 receiving vaccinations to avoid cervical cancer. At nine years old, girls would receive the vaccination as part of their regular immunisation schedule. Cervavac, an Indian-made vaccine distributed by Serum Institute, would be used in the campaign. This is just as effective as universal vaccinations, according to a Lancet research.
Currently, each dosage of the quadrivalent vaccine costs Rs 2,000 in the commercial market. The cost of each dose of the only other HPV vaccination, which guards against the four most prevalent strains of HPV, is Rs 4,000. Read the complete post to get complete information related to HPV Vaccine including why is HPV vaccination necessary?, working, Benefits, For whom is the Vaccine appropriate, and much more
HPV Vaccine for Cervical Cancer
A series of injections known as the HPV vaccine can shield you from an HPV (human papillomavirus) infection. Commonly transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The 40 or so HPV strains that can spread during intercourse are known to exist. 80% of those who are sexually active will at some point have had HPV infection due to its widespread prevalence.
Usually, immune systems in good health can combat viruses. However, some HPV infections never go away. A few develop cancer. For instance, the majority of vaginal and cervical malignancies are linked to HPV infection. Genital warts are another result of HPV infections. This is the main reason immunisation against HPV is essential. If you are ever exposed, it’s a secure and reliable method of avoiding diseases.
Why is HPV vaccination necessary?
The HPV vaccine guards against HPV infections that can turn into genital warts or cancer. Vaccination is not a treatment; rather, it is a means of preventing illnesses. The vaccination cannot treat an infection caused by a specific strain of HPV if you have already been exposed to it. You can be protected by the HPV vaccine against strains you have never come into contact with. They consist of both low-risk and high-risk varieties. HPV strains with a high risk of malignancy can advance. Low-risk varieties can result in bothersome illnesses like genital warts, but they don’t raise your risk of cancer.
Working of HPV Vaccine
Instead of the real, living virus, the vaccination contains a simulation of it. Your immune system will create antibodies to combat HPV as a result of the vaccination. These antibodies shield you from the virus’s ability to infect you if you come into contact with it.
Benefits of HPV Vaccine
Some of the key benefits of the HPV Vaccine are as follows:
- To everyone who is or will be sexually active in the future, the HPV vaccine can lower their chance of developing genital warts and malignancies connected to HPV.
- To prevent cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine became widely available in 2006 to individuals who were designated female at birth (AFAB). Since then, the prevalence of cervical cancer has decreased. HPV infections associated with genital warts and cancer have decreased by more than 80%.
- Vaccinating yourself against AMAB can also shield your sexual relations. Even though you cannot get cervical cancer, you can vaccinate an unvaccinated sexual partner by infecting them with HPV strains that seriously increase their risk of developing cervical cancer.
- Regardless of sexual orientation, being vaccinated before engaging in sexual activity is the strongest line of defence against the virus.
- In 2011, the FDA approved HPV vaccinations for individuals who were designated male at birth (AMAB). Regretfully, there is still a low HPV vaccination rate among AMAB individuals. This is particularly worrisome because of the increase in throat malignancies associated with HPV in this population. These tumours, along with penile and anal cancers, can be prevented by the vaccine.
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For whom is the HPV Vaccine appropriate?
- Before engaging in sexual behaviour that exposes them to HPV, everyone, regardless of sex or gender, should get vaccinated. This reasoning is reflected in the Centres for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommended vaccination age ranges.
- Although it can be safely given to children as young as 9, the HPV vaccine is part of the vaccination regimen for youngsters between the ages of 11 and 12. The intention is to immunise kids before they start having sex and run the risk of exposure.
- Adults up to the age of 26 are also advised to get the vaccination. This covers those who began the series as teenagers, young adults, or children but put it down.
- The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) raised the age limit from 26 to 45 in 2018. Based on studies that demonstrated the vaccine also reduced HPV infections in adults in this age range, the recommendation was made.
Who is not eligible for the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is not advised for the below-given reasons:
- If you are carrying a child, It is advisable to have the vaccination after giving birth because there isn’t much information regarding its safety during pregnancy.
- If you had an adverse reaction to a dose from a previous HPV vaccination or its chemicals, let your healthcare professional know. Tell them about any severe allergies you have, such as latex or yeast allergies, as they could make you more susceptible to an allergic reaction.
- If you posses a moderate to serious disease. It could be necessary to postpone getting the vaccination till you’re well. Find out from your doctor when getting an injection is safe.
Side Effects of HPV Vaccine
Like all medications, vaccines can cause negative effects. Many HPV vaccine recipients experience almost no negative effects at all. A painful arm following the injection is one of the extremely minor side effects that some people report suffering. The majority of the moderate side effects of the HPV vaccination are as follows:
- Inflammation, redness, or pain in the arm from the injection
- Dizziness or fainting (teenagers are more likely than others to faint following any vaccination, including the HPV vaccine).
- High temperature
- Tiredness or a headache
- Joint or muscle soreness
- Nausea
Where Are HPV Vaccine Available?
Doctor’s offices, community health centres, school-based health centres, and health agencies may offer the HPV vaccine. You may also get in touch with the state health department.
What arrangements is the government making for providing the vaccine?
While the government continues to work on acquiring vaccines, other arrangements have already been made. State and federal officials attested to the fact that in 2023 there were workshops on HPV vaccination administration. To guarantee the efficient provision of vaccines at centres, representatives from the three coordinating ministries will get training. To make sure there is no hesitation, communication is also prepared before the vaccine’s release.
It was also suggested by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) carry out studies to determine the effectiveness of an HPV vaccination administered as a single dose to individuals aged 9 to 15. The World Health Organisation (WHO) claims that even a single dosage of the HPV vaccine has strikingly high efficacy, even though all vaccines available worldwide require adherence to a two-dose regimen.
What evidence is presently there for the vaccine?
There has been a decrease in the number of instances of cervical cancer in more than 100 countries using HPV vaccination regimens. Although HPV infection was the original reason for vaccine approval, during the late 2000s, data showed that immunisation also decreased the prevalence of precancerous lesions. Research from Sweden and England in 2020 and 2021 also showed that getting vaccinated as a teenager could lower the risk of cervical cancer by more than 85% by the time a person is 30 years old.