Human papillomavirus is a common virus that infects the skin and mucous membranes of the anal and genital areas, causing cancer and acromegaly, and is a major cause of cervical cancer and cervical lesions in women in particular. The main cause of infection is transmitted through sexual contact, and both men and women of all ages can be infected.
The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine, also known as Cervical Cancer Vaccine, is a quadrivalent human papillomavirus recombinant vaccine approved by the Department of Health in October 2006 to prevent pre-cancerous or poorly differentiated lesions and cancers of the cervix, pre-cancerous or poorly differentiated lesions of the vagina and vulva, and condyloma acuminata.
Indications
Taking into account the age of sexual initiation and the current 7-year vaccine protection period, the tentative recommended age for initial vaccination is the first year of junior high school (12 or 13 years old). For women and men over the age of 27, although not prohibited by law, drug and vaccination victimization remedies are not available.
Side effects
Common side effects include pain, swelling, itching and redness at the injection site, fever, nausea, and dizziness.
Contraindications
1. Previous allergic reaction to cervical cancer vaccine
2.People with coagulation problems or who cannot be injected in the arm
3.Immunity weakness due to genetic defect or HIV infection, etc.
4.Pregnant or planning to get pregnant
5.People who have a fever of 37.8℃ or more
6.Who are taking or will take any drugs
Common problems
1.Can women who have had sexual intercourse receive the cervical cancer vaccine?
Theoretically, women who have never had sexual experience can receive the maximum benefit from the cervical cancer vaccine, but women who have had sexual intercourse can still receive the vaccine. However, if they have already been infected with the human papillomavirus type contained in the vaccine before receiving the vaccine, the vaccine cannot prevent the disease caused by the infected type.
2. Can pregnant women receive the cervical cancer vaccine?
The cervical cancer vaccine is not recommended for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant; if a woman becomes pregnant unexpectedly after the vaccination, the vaccination must be stopped and the safety of the vaccine for the pregnant woman and the fetus must be followed up until the birth is over.
3. How many doses of cervical cancer vaccine should be given?
Three doses of the cervical cancer vaccine are recommended to be administered within 6 months. The schedule of administration is the second month after the first dose and the second and third doses are completed at 6 months.
4.How much does the cervical cancer vaccine cost?
The total cost of the three doses is approximately $10,500, which is currently self-pay.
5.Can the cervical cancer vaccine be administered at the same time as other vaccines?
Clinical studies have shown that the cervical cancer vaccine can be administered at the same time as the hepatitis B vaccine (injected at different sites), but no studies have been done with other vaccines at the same time.
6. Do I need to be tested for infection before administering the cervical cancer vaccine?
No, it is not necessary. Unless you have had sexual intercourse, it is recommended that you have a pap smear or related tests first.
7.After the cervical cancer vaccination, do I still need to have a pap smear?
(1) The currently approved cervical cancer vaccine can only prevent cervical pre-cancer and cancer caused by types 16 and 18, in addition to the many other human papillomavirus types that cause cervical cancer.
(2) If the cervical cancer vaccine is not administered as scheduled and at the right dose, the effectiveness of the vaccine will be affected.
(3) The effectiveness of the vaccine may also be affected if the person has been infected with HPV before the vaccine is administered.
8. Is the cervical cancer vaccine effective?
According to most existing local studies, 60-70% of cervical cancer cases are infected with HPV types 16 and 18 (vaccine-preventable types), so it is estimated that the cervical cancer vaccine can prevent 60-70% of cervical cancers; in addition, the quadrivalent vaccine can also prevent 90% of condyloma acuminata, and the new cervical vaccine, according to the research team, can even prevent 100%. However, the vaccine does not treat people who are already infected with human papillomavirus.
9. Is the cervical cancer vaccine safe?
The vaccine has been clinically studied in many women around the world and no serious side effects have been found, only pain at the injection site is common.
10. How long does the vaccine protect? Do I need additional doses?
So far, the vaccine has only been studied for 7 years, so it is estimated that the protection will last for at least 7 years, and the long-term effects of the vaccine are still being observed internationally and whether additional doses are needed.