What is the recommended Cervavac (human papillomavirus vaccine) dosing schedule for healthy 11‑year‑old and 13‑year‑old children?

Cervavac Schedule for Children Aged 11 and 13 Years

Children aged 11 years should receive a 2-dose Cervavac schedule (at 0 and 6 months), while 13-year-olds should also receive a 2-dose schedule since they are under 15 years of age at initiation. 1

Age-Based Dosing Algorithm

For 11-Year-Olds

• Administer the first dose at age 11 or 12 years as part of routine adolescent vaccination 2, 1
• Give the second dose 6-12 months after the first dose to complete the series 1, 3
• Only 2 doses total are required when vaccination begins before the 15th birthday 1, 3

For 13-Year-Olds

• Administer using the same 2-dose schedule (0 and 6-12 months) since they are under 15 years of age 1, 3
• The critical determining factor is the age when the first dose is given, not when subsequent doses are administered 1
• If the first dose is given at age 13 or 14 years, only 2 total doses are needed regardless of when the second dose is actually given 2, 1

Specific Cervavac Administration Details

Cervavac is administered as a 0.5 mL intramuscular injection into the deltoid muscle for both age groups 1, 4

Two-Dose Schedule Specifications

• Minimum interval between doses: 12 weeks (approximately 3 months) 1
• Optimal interval: 6-12 months between first and second doses 1, 3
• Longer intervals produce stronger immune responses than shorter intervals 2, 1

Important Clinical Considerations

Why Vaccinate at Ages 11-13?

• Vaccination is most effective before sexual debut, as approximately 24% of adolescents report sexual intercourse by 9th grade and 58.1% by 12th grade 2, 1
• Younger adolescents (9-14 years) generate significantly higher antibody responses compared to older individuals receiving 3 doses, which is why only 2 doses are needed 2
• The cumulative incidence of HPV infection reaches nearly 40% within 2 years after first sexual intercourse 2

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Do not delay vaccination waiting for "optimal" timing – complete the series promptly before potential HPV exposure 1
• Do not restart the series if interrupted – simply continue from where you left off, maintaining minimum intervals 1
• Do not give a third dose to children who started vaccination before age 15, even if there are long delays between doses 1

If Vaccination Is Interrupted

• No maximum time interval exists between doses – the vaccine does not "expire" or lose effectiveness if delayed 1
• Administer the second dose as soon as possible without restarting the series 1
• The series does not need to be restarted regardless of how long the interruption lasts 1

Co-Administration with Other Vaccines

• Cervavac can be given at the same visit as Tdap and meningococcal vaccines using separate syringes at different anatomic sites 1
• This approach increases the likelihood of completing all recommended adolescent vaccinations on schedule 1

Safety Monitoring

• Observe patients for 15 minutes post-vaccination due to risk of syncope in adolescents following injections 1
• The most common adverse events are local injection site reactions and headache 4
• No pre-vaccination testing (Pap smear, HPV DNA test, or antibody test) is required 1, 5

Cancer Prevention Benefits

• Cervavac protects against HPV types 6,11,16, and 18, which cause approximately 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts 2, 4
• The vaccine prevents cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers associated with these HPV types 2, 6

Special Population: Immunocompromised Children

• Children with immunocompromising conditions require a 3-dose schedule (at 0,1-2, and 6 months) regardless of age at initiation 1, 3
• This includes HIV-infected children and those on immunosuppressive medications 2