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The HPV vaccine, or human papilloma virus, is given as an injection and has the function of preventing diseases caused by this virus, such as pre-cancerous lesions, cancer of the cervix, vulva and vagina, anus and genital warts. This vaccine can be taken at the health post and private clinics, but it is also offered by SUS at health posts and in school vaccination campaigns.
The vaccine offered by SUS is quadrivalent, which protects against the 4 most common types of HPV viruses in Brazil. After taking the vaccine, the body produces the antibodies necessary to fight the virus and thus, if the person is infected, he does not develop the disease, being protected.
Although not yet available to be applied, Anvisa has already approved a new vaccine against HPV, which protects against 9 types of virus.
Who should take
The HPV vaccine can be taken in the following ways:
1. Through SUS
The vaccine is available free of charge at health centers, in 2 to 3 doses, to:
- Boys and girls from 9 to 14 years old;
- Men and women from 9 to 26 years old living with HIV or AIDS, patients who received organ, bone marrow transplants and people undergoing cancer treatment.
The vaccine can also be taken by boys and girls who are no longer virgins, but its effectiveness may be reduced, as they may have already been in contact with the virus.
2. In particular
The vaccine can also be taken by older people, however, they are only available in private vaccination clinics. It is indicated for:
- Girls and women between 9 and 45 years old, if it is the quadrivalent vaccine, or any age over 9 years, if it is the bivalent vaccine (Cervarix);
- Boys and men between 9 and 26 years of age, with the quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil);
- Boys and girls between 9 and 26 years old, with the nonavalent vaccine (Gardasil 9).
The vaccine can be taken even by people who are undergoing treatment or have had HPV infection, as it can protect against other types of HPV viruses, and prevent the formation of new genital warts and risk of cancer.
Types of vaccines and doses
There are 2 different vaccines against HPV: the quadrivalent vaccine and the bivalent vaccine.
Quadrivalent vaccine
- Indicated for women between 9 and 45 years old, and men between 9 and 26 years old;
- Protects against viruses 6, 11, 16 and 18;
- It protects against genital warts, cancer of the cervix in women and cancer of the penis or anus in the case of men;
- Manufactured by the Merck Sharp & Dhome laboratory, being commercially called Gardasil;
- It is the vaccine offered by SUS for boys and girls between 9 and 14 years old.
- Doses: 3 doses are given, in the 0-2-6 month schedule, with the second dose being made after 2 months and the third dose being made 6 months after the first dose. In children, the protective effect can already be achieved with just 2 doses, so some vaccination campaigns can provide only 2 doses.
See the instructions for this vaccine by clicking on: Gardasil
Bivalent vaccine
- Indicated from 9 years old and without age limit;
- It only protects against viruses 16 and 18, which are the main causes of cervical cancer;
- Protects against cervical cancer, but not against genital warts;
- Manufactured by the GSK laboratory, being commercially sold as Cervarix;
- Doses: When taken up to 14 years old, 2 doses of the vaccine are made, with an interval of 6 months between them. For people over 15 years old, 3 doses are made, in the 0-1-6 month schedule.
Check out more about this vaccine in the package leaflet: Cervarix.
Nonavalent vaccine
- It can be administered to boys and girls between 9 and 26 years old;
- Protects against 9 HPV virus subtypes: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58;
- Protects against cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva and anus, as well as against warts caused by HPV;
- It is manufactured by Merck Sharp & Dhome laboratories, under the trade name of Gardasil 9;
- Doses: if the first vaccination is done until the age of 14, 2 doses should be administered, the second being between 5 to 13 months after the first. If vaccination is after the age of 15, the 3-dose schedule (0-2-6 months) should be followed, where the second dose is done after 2 months and the third dose is done 6 months after the first.
Who cannot take
The HPV vaccine should not be administered if:
- Pregnancy, but the vaccine can be taken soon after the baby is born, under the guidance of the obstetrician;
- When you have any type of allergy to the components of the vaccine;
- In case of fever or acute illness;
- In case of reduced platelet count and blood clotting problems.
Vaccination can help prevent HPV infection and cervical cancer, but it is not indicated to treat the disease. For this reason, it is also important to use condoms in all intimate contacts and, in addition, the woman should consult the gynecologist at least once a year and perform gynecological exams such as Pap smears.
Vaccination campaign in schools
The HPV vaccine is part of the vaccination schedule, being free in SUS for girls and boys between 9 and 14 years of age. In 2016, SUS started to vaccinate boys from 9 to 14 years old, as initially it was only available to those aged 12 to 13 years old.
Boys and girls in this age group must take 2 doses of the vaccine, the first dose being available in public and private schools or public health clinics. The 2nd dose should be taken in a health unit 6 months after the first or second vaccination season promoted by SUS.
Side effects of the vaccine
The HPV vaccine can have as side effects pain, redness or swelling at the site of the bite, which can be reduced by applying an ice pebble, protected with a cloth, on the spot. In addition, the HPV vaccine can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and fever above 38ºC, which can be controlled with an antipyretic such as Paracetamol, for example. If the individual is suspicious of the origin of the fever, he should contact the doctor.
Some girls reported changes in leg sensitivity and difficulty walking, however, studies with the vaccine do not confirm that this reaction is caused by its administration, being more likely to be other factors such as anxiety or fear of needles, for example. Other changes related to this vaccine have not been confirmed by scientific studies.
Watch the following video and understand the importance that vaccination has for health:
Why is it preferable to vaccinate boys and girls up to the age of 15?
Scientific articles point out that the HPV vaccine is more effective when applied to those who have not yet started sexual life, and, therefore, SUS only applies the vaccine to children and adolescents between 9 and 14 years old, however, everyone can take the vaccine in private clinics.
Is it necessary to have tests before getting the vaccine?
There is no need to perform any tests to check for HPV virus infection before taking the vaccine, but it is important to know that the vaccine is not as effective in people who have already had intimate contact.
Who gets the vaccine does not need to use a condom?
Even those who took both doses of the vaccine should always use a condom in all intimate contact because this vaccine does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS or syphilis, for example.
Is the HPV vaccine safe?
This vaccine has been shown to be safe during clinical trials and, furthermore, after being administered to people in several countries, it has not been shown to cause serious side effects related to its use.
However, there are reported cases of people who may become nervous and anxious during the vaccination and may pass out, but this fact is not directly related to the vaccine applied, but to the person's emotional system.