The HPV vaccine is indicated for women and men between the 9 and 26 years of age. However, the free vaccine against HPV, made available by the Ministry of Health, has as its target audience only girls from 9 to 13 years old.
This is because the vaccine is highly effective in women with this age group, since most of them have not yet started sexual life and have not been exposed to the HPV virus.
The result is an antibody production 10 times higher than that seen in women who have had contact with HPV.
It is therefore very important that all girls from 9 to 13 years old receive the 3 doses of the quadrivalent vaccine, which protects against HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18, and prevents up to 70%
of cases of cervical cancer.
Why do not men get the free HPV vaccine?
Since the purpose of the vaccination campaign is to to decrease cases of cervical cancer, the free vaccine is only available for women.
However, the vaccination of the female indirectly protect men heterosexual women, since women no longer transmit HPV.
This measure drastically reduces the genital warts among the male population.
See also the articles: All wart is HPV ?; What is HPV and how is it transmitted?
But it is important to remember that HPV vaccine is also indicated for men from 9 to 26 years old, although it is not offered free of charge by the Ministry of Health.
Who else should take the HPV vaccine? Is there any special indication?
In addition to men and women between 9 and 26 years old, the HPV vaccine is also indicated for:
- People with HIV or AIDS;
- Patients undergoing immunity-lowering treatments or having diseases that affect the immune response;
- Homosexual men;
- Individuals with recurrent HPV infections, such as patients with recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis of childhood.
Does the HPV vaccine have contraindications?
Yes, the HPV vaccine should not be given in the following situations:
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any component of the vaccine;
- History of Guillain Barré;
- Development of symptoms that indicate severe hypersensitivity after taking a dose of the HPV vaccine;
- Pregnancy, as there are no conclusive studies on the effect of the vaccine during pregnancy; if the girl becomes pregnant after receiving a dose of the vaccine, the other doses should be postponed for the postpartum period;
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Women who are breastfeeding can take the quadrivalent HPV vaccine.
The family doctor or gynecologist can clarify any doubts about the HPV vaccine.
