HPV 6 and 11
HPV 6 and HPV 11 are responsible for more than 90% of all genital warts, so vaccination could also significantly reduce the number of people suffering from these conditions. Because studies show also here that a vaccination can protect almost 100% of women from infection.
Carrying out the vaccination
In total, cervical cancer vaccination should be given three times. The vaccination is administered into the muscle, for example in the arm. The second vaccination is given after two months and the third after three months. New study data show that the vaccination lasts for at least 5 years, but it has not yet been determined whether the vaccination should be repeated.
Costs
Side effects: The vaccination is well tolerated and shows only minor side effects. There may be redness and slight pain at the injection site. In addition, flu-like symptoms such as headaches and aching limbs, as well as nausea and muscle aches may occur.
Fatigue and a gastrointestinal problem have also been reported as undesirable side effects. There were no deaths directly related to the HPV vaccination. An association with thrombosis and Guillan-Barre syndrome could not be proven. Cervical cancer cannot be caused by the vaccination.
Summary
Cervical cancer vaccination is a vaccination against viruses that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. It is recommended by the STIKO, the vaccination commission of Germany, for girls between 14 and 17 years of age. However, it can also be administered earlier.
The vaccination is also called HPV vaccination. HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus. This virus can be sexually transmitted and therefore should be vaccinated before the first sexual contact.
There are hundreds of different types of HPV, but HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for over 70% of cancers. In total there are two different cervical cancer vaccinations. One is a combination of two vaccines against type 16 and 18 and then a combination of four vaccines, which also contains type 6 and 11.
HPV types 6 and 11 are believed to be primarily involved in the development of genital warts. Since the cervical cancer vaccination (HPV vaccination) does not offer 100% protection, it cannot replace preventive smear tests (the vaccine is so far only effective against the two most dangerous high-risk types of the virus responsible for about 70% of all cancers of the cervix). Broad-based vaccination programs are planned in the population, as the human papilloma virus infection rate is high: between 70% and 80% of all women in Germany, Austria and Switzerland will be infected with HPV during their lifetime.
Usually, the infection heals by itself within 12 to 18 months, so that, for example, a positive test for the virus is in no way linked to an existing or later developing cancer. However, it is important to note that a vaccination only has a preventive character: A successful infection with the virus cannot be cured. Therefore it is planned to vaccinate especially the age group of 12 to 14 year olds (puberty) before the first sexual contact.
Not only girls but also boys would benefit from the vaccination. The HPV vaccine should also protect against the benign warts of the viruses causing sexual organs (which are harmless in relation to cervical cancer and are therefore called low-risk types). The future goal is to limit cervical cancer and all its precursors to a minimum that cannot be further reduced by the vaccination.
