Hpv vaccine

The vaccine against HPV, or human papilloma virus, is given as an injection and its function is to prevent diseases caused by this virus, such as precancerous 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 of age, if it is the quadrivalent vaccine, or any age above 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.

HPV vaccine price

The price of the bivalent HPV vaccine is approximately R $ 200 per dose and that of the tetravalent vaccine is approximately R $ 300 per dose when taken privately. The vaccine that protects against the 9 types of HPV is still priceless.

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; Protects against genital warts, cervical cancer 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 after 6 months of 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; Protects only against viruses 16 and 18, which are the biggest 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 aged 9 to 26 years; Protects against 9 HPV virus subtypes: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58; Protects against cervical cancer uterus, 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 number of platelets and problems blood clotting.

Vaccination can help prevent HPV infection and cervical cancer, but it is not indicated to treat the disease. Therefore, 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 in public health clinics. The 2nd dose should be taken at 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 side effects such as pain, redness or swelling at the site of the bite, which can be reduced by placing an ice pebble, protected with a cloth, in place. 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 the sensitivity of their legs and difficulty walking, however, studies have not confirmed that this reaction is caused by the vaccine, being more likely to be emotional reactions, anxiety or overcrowding, for example, using the vaccine. 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 15 years of age?

Scientific articles point out that the HPV vaccine is more effective when applied to those who have not yet started sex, and therefore SUS only applies the vaccine to children and adolescents between 9 and 14 years old, however everyone can get the vaccine at 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 is safe and has few side effects because it has been administered to many people in different countries and there are still no scientific studies that prove 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.