HPV vaccines
Human Papilloma vaccine (HPV) is a unique vaccine as this is intended against the virus amidst many available vaccines that are produced against bacteria. HPV, in abbreviated form, is given to develop immunity against the Human Papilloma virus. Available HPV vaccines are recombinant vaccines, which include genetically engineered HPV like virus particles.
Two doses of HPV vaccines at 6 months’ interval is recommended for girls of age 9 to 13 years by WHO. The age of the girls is specified to make sure that the girls get this vaccine before they contract HPV viruses by any means or sexual transmission.
Currently Available HPV vaccines
Ceravix : Effective against HPV STRAINS of 16, 18
Quadrivalent Gardasil: This is effective against HPV strains of 6,11, 16, 18
Gardasil 9: This includes antigens against 9 different strains of Human Papillomaviruses
All of these HPV vaccines are given intramuscularly.
Cervical cancer, caused by HPV, is one of the commonest cancers in women of developing countries. Thanks to human intelligence, this life threatening malignancy can be prevented by comprehensive implementation of preventive approaches, one of them being HPV vaccination.
Human Papilloma Virus
Human Papilloma virus infection leads to a range of manifestations from some epithelial lesions, warts to life threatening malignancies. Though Papillomavirus can cause other ano-genital, oropharyngeal cancers, cervical cancer has been extensively studied in relation to Human Papilloma virus because of its high magnitude among women especially in developing regions.
Most of the cancers of anal, oropharyngeal, cervix, are caused by human papilloma virus infection. These cancers are preventable if we could prevent and manage Human Papilloma Viruses infection.
Which Human Papilloma virus is responsible for cervical Cancer?
There are different strains of Human Papilloma viruses, however, mainly the strains HPV 16, 18 are attributed to cause cervical cancer. They can also cause premalignant genital lesions and other many strains cause genital warts, lesions of cervix, vulva, vagina.
What makes Nepalese women more vulnerable to HPV infection?
HPV infects not only women, rather it can affect both male too. However, the prevalence of high cervical cancers and susceptibility of women demands solemn attention.
Low awareness on HPV: women of this generation hardly knew about the relation of infection with human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. This lack of awareness prevented us from taking measures that would have helped in management of HPV infection. Nevertheless, upcoming new generation will be more aware and have means to prevent HPV infection
Reproductive health, hygiene and rights: Early marriage, sexual violence can lead to exposure to HPV viruses. Reproductive health especially sexual health is not much talked issue in developing countries due to stigma, hesitancy, and traditional mindsets. Sexual problems are like the iceberg in the sea, much of large chunk still under sea as people don’t want to expose about reproductive health problems and people are shielded from the right information on reproductive health.
HPV vaccination in Nepal
Government of Nepal has forwarded this important step with piloting of HPV vaccinations with support from GAVI alliance. This will be scaled up subsequently nationally. this vaccine is relatively novel and expensive vaccine. Hence, the feasibility of the sustainable inclusion in the national immunization program requires strong commitment from the government and generosity of the donors and International organizations.
Other primary preventive approaches such as sexuality education to both girls and boys, male circumcision, condom use, health information and warnings about tobacco use should be implemented effectively to curtail the cervical cancer burden.
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