What is the necessity of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for preventing cervical cancer and other related diseases?

From the Guidelines

The HPV vaccine is strongly recommended for adolescents, ideally at ages 11-12, as it prevents infection with human papillomavirus types that cause several cancers, including cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and oropharyngeal cancers, as well as genital warts, with a potential to prevent over 90% of HPV-related cancers when given at the recommended age. The vaccine has been extensively studied, with over 120 million doses administered worldwide, and has an excellent safety profile, with side effects typically being mild and temporary, such as pain at the injection site, headache, or fatigue 1.

Key Points

• The HPV vaccine is most effective when given before any sexual activity begins, as HPV is extremely common and nearly everyone will be exposed at some point 1.
• The standard regimen is two doses given 6-12 months apart for those who start before age 15, or three doses over 6 months for those who start at age 15 or older 1.
• The vaccine can prevent several cancers, including cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and oropharyngeal cancers, as well as genital warts, with a potential to prevent over 90% of HPV-related cancers when given at the recommended age 1.
• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends vaccination of all children at ages 11 and 12 years to protect against HPV infections that lead to several cancers and precancers, with the vaccination series able to be started beginning at age 9 years 1.

Recommendations

• The HPV vaccine should be administered to adolescents, ideally at ages 11-12, before potential exposure to the virus 1.
• Catch-up vaccination is recommended for females aged 13-26 years who have not yet been vaccinated, and for males aged 13-21 years who have not yet been vaccinated 1.
• The vaccine should be given as a 2-dose series for persons initiating the vaccine series from 9 through 14 years of age, and as a 3-dose series for persons initiating the vaccine series at 15 years of age or older, or for immunocompromised persons 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

GARDASIL 9 is a vaccine indicated in girls and women 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of the following diseases: Cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16,18,31,33,45,52, and 58 GARDASIL 9 is indicated in boys and men 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of the following diseases: Anal, oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers caused by HPV types 16,18,31,33,45,52, and 58

The necessity of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for preventing cervical cancer and other related diseases is supported by the drug label, which indicates that the vaccine is approved for the prevention of:

• Cervical cancer caused by HPV types 16,18,31,33,45,52, and 58
• Other related diseases, including vulvar, vaginal, anal, oropharyngeal, and other head and neck cancers caused by HPV types 16,18,31,33,45,52, and 58 Key points to consider:
• The vaccine is indicated for girls and women 9 through 45 years of age and boys and men 9 through 45 years of age 2
• The vaccine does not eliminate the necessity for screening for cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, oropharyngeal, and other head and neck cancers as recommended by a healthcare provider 2

From the Research

Necessity of HPV Vaccine

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is essential for preventing cervical cancer and other related diseases. Key points include:

• HPV is associated with anogenital cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, and genital warts 3, 4, 5, 6
• The HPV vaccination significantly reduces the incidence of anogenital cancer and genital warts 3, 4, 5, 6
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved three vaccines that are effective at preventing HPV infection, covering 2,4, or 9 HPV serotypes, respectively 3, 4, 5

Benefits and Recommendations

The benefits and recommendations of the HPV vaccine are:

• The HPV vaccines are recommended for girls and boys aged 11-12 years and can be given to females and males up to age 26 years 3, 4
• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend routine HPV vaccination for girls and boys at the target age of 11-12 years 3, 4
• Obstetrician-gynecologists and other health care providers should stress to parents and patients the benefits and safety of HPV vaccination and offer HPV vaccines in their offices 3, 4

Safety and Effectiveness

The safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine are:

• Safety data for all three HPV vaccines are reassuring 3, 4, 5, 6
• The vaccines have shown high levels of efficacy against disease and infections caused by the targeted HPV genotypes in adolescent females and males and older females 5
• Data indicate population effectiveness, and therefore cost effectiveness, is highest in HPV-naive young females prior to becoming sexually active 5

Global Health Priority

The HPV vaccine is a global health priority, with:

• Universal HPV vaccination of all young, adolescent women, and with available resources at least high-risk groups of men, should be a global health priority 5
• Failure to do so will result in millions of women dying from avertable cervical cancers, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and many thousands of women and men dying from other HPV-related cancers 5