Short answer - Yes!
Most cervical cancers are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). It can spread through sex and from some types of skin-to skin-contact. Gardasil 9 is an HPV vaccine approved by the GOI and can be used for both girls and boys. This vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer if the vaccine is given before girls or women are exposed to the virus. This vaccine can also prevent vaginal and vulvar cancer. In addition, the vaccine can prevent genital warts, anal cancers, and mouth, throat, head and neck cancers in women and men.
When exactly should the HPV vaccine be offered?
The recommendation is for HPV vaccine to be given to girls and boys between ages 11 and 12. It can be given as early as age 9. It's ideal for girls and boys to receive the vaccine before they have sexual contact and are exposed to HPV. The response to the vaccine is better at younger ages than it is at older ages.
The CDC recommends that all 11- and 12-year-olds receive two doses of HPV vaccine at least six months apart. Younger adolescents ages 9 and 10 and teens ages 13 and 14 also can receive vaccination on the two-dose schedule. Research has shown that the two-dose schedule is effective for children under 15.
Teens and young adults who begin the vaccine series later, at ages 15 through 26, should receive three doses of the vaccine.
Does the HPV vaccine offer benefits if you're already sexually active?
Yes. Even if you already have one strain of HPV, you could still benefit from the vaccine because it can protect you from other strains that you don't yet have. However, none of the vaccines can treat an existing HPV infection. The vaccines protect you only from specific strains of HPV you haven't been exposed to already.
Does the HPV vaccine carry any health risks or side effects?
The HPV vaccine has been found to be safe in many studies.
Overall, the effects are usually mild. The most common side effects of HPV vaccines include soreness, swelling or redness at the injection site.
What is the dosage for Gardasil Vaccine (HPV)?
Gardasil 0.5 ml is injected intramuscularly as three separate doses. The first dose is administered at the patient's convenience, the second dose two months after the first dose, and the third dose six months after the first dose.
Why is HPV vaccination recommended?
- One out of 4 women who die of cervical cancer is from India.
- Every seven minutes one woman dies of cervical cancer in India.
- Cervical cancer kills roughly 67,477 Indian women annually.
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has been detected in 99.7% of all cases of Cervical Cancer worldwide.
- This is the highest level of the associated pathogen known to be a major cause for a human form of Cancer.
- HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for 82% of cervical cancers in India.
Does it apply only to girls or do boys have to take it as well?
There is increasing evidence that boys are infected with HPV as well. MSD has launched the gender neutral Gardasil 9 in India. The rationale behind this is that the vaccine would prevent Genital warts, oral cancers, penile cancers, anal cancers and precancerous lesions, especially in homosexual identities.
(https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/msd-india-launches-9-valent-human-papillomavirus-vaccine-gardasil9-11632914111895.html)
India has also launched its own vaccine under the name Cervivac made by the Serum Institute which brings down the cost considerably
Do get in touch with me for any further information you may need. I'll be happy to help!
Meanwhile, here are some more newspaper articles for the movement currently on in India.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/is-hpv-vaccine-safe-for-my-daughter-yes/story-4gBa5z5rDtxREhNJ6lzzQP.html
https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/dear-indian-women-did-you-know-that-there-is-a-vaccine-for-cervical-cancer-3390860.html
IAP (Indian Association of Pediatricians) - https://acvip.org/parents/columns/cervical-cancer.php
