HPV Vaccine
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine of choice remains Gardasil which guards against cervical cancer and genital warts. It has caused something of a revolution in the medical world because it provides the first effective prevention against cervical cancer.
HPV vaccine is normally recommended for girls and young women between the ages of nine and twenty six and boys from nine to fifteen. Our specialist GU Physicians can also prescribe it to other age groups where appropriate.
We can provide advice on the choice of HPV vaccine and as well as Gardasil, we have Cervarix available where appropriate.
HPV vaccine is available on the NHS but only for girls and only within a very limited age group. Unfortunately HPV is both very infectious and harmful.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is both the cause of genital warts and is linked to the slow development of cervical precancers and cancers.
HPV is an extremely common infection that is transmitted sexually and approximately 70% of infections are found in the 15 to 24 year old age group.
Cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer in women under thirty five. Cervical smears to test for cancer offer an effective screening programme if they are carried out sufficiently frequently. In most countries apart from the UK the recommended frequency of testing is annual and that is what we recommend in our clinics. However, it is believed that with HPV vaccination the risks of cervical cancer and the need for smear tests may be eradicated altogether
Gardasil HPV vaccine works by immunising against certain types of HPV or human papilloma virus. Types 16 and 18 are the cause of 70% of cervical cancers and types 6 and 11 cause 90% of unsightly genital warts. It is these four types against which Gardasil is active.
HPV vaccination is very important for the young who are not yet sexually active in order to prevent HPV infection. However, it is also recommended in older groups who may already have become infected because it is unlikely they will have been infected by all the four strains so it still provides an important opportunity for prevention.
