HPV vaccine

Most HPV infections do NOT cause cancer.

• HPV types 16 and 18: these are the subtypes that cause more than 80% of cervical cancer cases.
• HPV types 6 and 11: the subtypes that cause 90% of genital warts (condylomas).

The vaccine is approved for use in men and women aged 9-45 years to protect against cervical cancer and genital warts. Ideally, both girls and boys should receive the vaccine before they have sex and are exposed to HPV.

Vaccination at an early age is not linked to an early onset of sexual activity. What the vaccine does do is help protect against genital warts and cancer in adulthood.

The HPV vaccine is administered in THREE doses (Gardasil).

• Second dose is given 2 months after the first dose.
• Third dose to be applied 4 months after the second dose.
  

Full treatment is achieved in approximately 6 months.