Cervical Cancer Prevention with HPV Vaccines

• Main Author: Chaivanee Kaosayapandhu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mahidol University 2017-04-01
• Series: Siriraj Medical Journal
• Subjects: Cervical cancer; Human Papillomavirus (HPV); Pap smear; HPV Vaccine; Bivalent vaccine; Quadri- valent vaccine
• Online Access: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/sirirajmedj/article/view/82342

Cervical cancer is the most common malignancy in Thai women with 70% of all cases caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 16, 18 and transmitted by sexual intercourse. Cervical cancer can be prevented by screening tests and HPV vaccines. In Thailand HPV vaccines currently are available in 2 types which are Bivalent, which has HPV 16,18 antigen and AS04 immunizer resulting in high immunization, and Quadrivalent, which has HPV 16,18 antigen and HPV 6,11 antigen which are not the cause of cervical cancer but of genital warts. The result of the study shows the differences of both types of vaccines in immunization mechanism, efficacy, cross-link prevention and indications. Both vaccines are certified for their safety. No severe side effects are found. Mild frequent side effects such as swelling, aching, redness will resolve spontaneously. HPV vaccines are most useful in female adolescents. However, women over 26 years of age or those who have sexual intercourse still benefit from vaccination especially when combined with annual Pap smear screening.