Is the cervical cancer vaccine effective?

Currently, two vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) have been registered in Russia. One protects against two types of HPV (16 and 18), and the other protects against four types HPV (16,18,6,11), which cause up to 70% of cases of cervical cancer and up to 90% of genital warts. It is also currently believed that the human papillomavirus plays a major role in the development of some rare forms of cancer in men (cancer of the penis or anus), so there is currently an active discussion about the effectiveness of vaccination of boys.

The vaccine has been developed for 15 years and more than 20,000 women participated in the study of its effectiveness. To date, the following facts regarding HPV vaccination are beyond doubt.

The vaccine is most effective if it is used in young women or girls before sexual activity, because in this case they are not yet infected with any of the four types of HPV that the vaccine protects against. It is possible to start vaccination from the age of 9 to the age of 26, optimally at the age of 12-13 years, in certain situations, the doctor may offer vaccination to women over the age of 26. The limitation of 26 years is due to the lack of data on the effectiveness of the vaccine in women over this age, these studies are still being conducted.

The use of the vaccine in sexually active women is also justified, but vaccination in this case may be less effective, since there is a possibility that the woman will become infected with any of the HPV viruses that the vaccine protects against. But even in this case, vaccination is justified because the vaccine can protect against other types of HPV that they are not yet infected with. There is also evidence of the formation of so-called cross-immunity after vaccination to other oncogenic HPV types, which also cause the development of some cases of cervical cancer.

The effectiveness of the vaccine, according to research, is 100% in preventing diseases caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, including precancerous diseases of the cervix, vulva and vagina, genital warts, in young women who have not been infected with any of the four HPV types.

Currently, it is known that immunity against HPV types 6,11,16 and 18 exists for at least five years. Additional studies are currently being conducted regarding the preservation of post-vaccination immunity for a longer period of time and the need for additional vaccination after this period.

The decision on whether to vaccinate against HPV must be made independently. The task of doctors is to answer all the patient's questions as fully and accurately as possible, based on data from major international studies and the opinion of professional communities. The EMC Women's Health Center carries out all necessary examinations for diseases of the cervix and external genital organs associated with HPV, vaccination against human papillomaviruses, as well as consultations with specialists on all issues of interest.