Human Papilloma Virus Immunisation Programme
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a viral infection that can be sexually transmitted and may cause warts to develop. There are 100 different viral strains of HPV and 80 of these are thought to affect the genital area.
There are two specific HPV viral strains that are most commonly associated with the development of cancer of the cervix (neck of the womb) which kills thousands of women in the UK every year. Other HPV viral strains may also prompt the development of cervical cancer.
HPV has also been linked to other cancers such as cancer of the vulva, anus and vagina.
The HPV vaccine is recommended for 12-13 year-old girls, and can be given to girls as young as 9. The vaccine is also recommended girls/women up to the age of 18 who have not yet received or completed the vaccine series.
Why is the HPV vaccine recommended for such young girls?
This is because the vaccine is most effective in girls/women who have not yet acquired any of the HPV viral strains covered by the vaccine. So ideally, females should get the vaccine before they are sexually active. Girls/women who have not been infected with any of those HPV viral strains will get the full benefits of the vaccine.
Will sexually active females benefit from the vaccine?
Females who are sexually active may also benefit from the vaccine, but they may get less benefit from the vaccine since they may have already acquired one or more HPV type(s) covered by the vaccine. Few young women are infected with all of these HPV types. So they would still get protection from those types they have not acquired. Currently, there is no test available to tell if a girl/woman has had any of the HPV types.
HPV vaccination provides the best protection against HPV infection that is available for people who have not already been infected with HPV.
Will girls/women who have been vaccinated still need cervical cancer screening (smear tests)?
Yes. There are three reasons why women will still need regular cervical cancer screening. First, the vaccine will NOT protect against all types of HPV that cause cervical cancer, so vaccinated women will still be at risk for some cancers. Second, some women may not get all required doses of the vaccine (or they may not get them at the right times), so they may not get the vaccine's full benefits. Third, women may not get the full benefit of the vaccine if they receive it after they've already acquired one of the HPV types.
What about vaccinating boys?
We do not yet know if the vaccine is effective in boys or men. It is possible that vaccinating males will have health benefits for them by preventing genital warts and rare cancers, such as penile and anal cancer. It is also possible that vaccinating boys/men will have indirect health benefits for girls/women. Studies are now being done to find out if the vaccine works to prevent HPV infection and disease in males. When more information is available, this vaccine may be licensed and recommended for boys/men as well.
