Vaccination against cervical cancer can reliably protect a woman’s body from the dangerous human papilloma virus, which provokes the development of many diseases.
Many women are interested in the question of where can they get vaccinated against cervical cancer? It should be noted that both vaccines used for this purpose, Cervarix and Gardasil, are imported, which affects their price. There are currently no domestic analogues of these drugs. The HPV vaccine can be obtained from the gynecological department of a medical institution where the specified vaccine preparations are available. This method is convenient because in one hospital you can undergo an examination (examination by a gynecologist), take a smear for cytology and get vaccinated.
Private clinics may also have vaccines to prevent cervical cancer. If you wish, you can get vaccinated there, after specifying the cost of this procedure. It can be much higher, which is determined by the pricing policy of each individual medical institution.
In addition to the above options, vaccination against cervical cancer can be done at the city’s vaccination center or the immunology department of a medical institution. Only proven vaccines are used here, and the rules for storing drugs are strictly observed. By the way, vaccination centers and many private clinics offer a special home vaccination service. In this case, a team of doctors will come to your home, a qualified doctor will conduct an examination and, based on its results, will allow or prohibit vaccination. If you have been vaccinated, medical specialists will monitor your condition for half an hour to provide quick assistance if an allergic reaction occurs. The home vaccination method is considered the most optimal. In this case, contacts with other people are minimized, which eliminates the possibility of contracting an infection or the influenza virus. Other advantages of this method include convenience and maximum attention from doctors.
When to get vaccinated against cervical cancer?
Many women are interested in the question of when to get vaccinated against cervical cancer. Those. What age period is optimal for this? First of all, it should be noted that such vaccination is recommended by doctors, but is not a mandatory preventive measure.
Vaccination against cervical cancer is recommended for girls (from the age of 12), as well as young women under the age of 25 (that is, vaccination should be carried out before the start of sexual relations and possible infection with HPV). Unfortunately, the vaccine will not work if the virus is present in the body. It should be emphasized that papillomavirus is not the only cause of cervical cancer. Therefore, vaccination does not provide a 100% guarantee that the disease can be avoided.
The best age period to receive such a vaccination is 15-17 years, when the girl’s body is formed and puberty is almost over. Young women who are sexually active should undergo diagnostic testing to identify the human papillomavirus and clearly determine its type. For this purpose, the PCR method is used (taking a smear (biomaterial) from the vagina and cervix). Before vaccination, you should consult your doctor regarding contraindications for this procedure, as well as side effects, including the possibility of allergic reactions. The choice of drug remains with the woman, as does the decision to vaccinate.
Where do you get the cervical cancer vaccine?
Vaccination against cervical cancer reliably protects the body from the most dangerous (oncogenic) types of HPV and is considered a recombinant vaccine, i.e. This drug does not contain the genetic material of the papillomavirus, but only protein antigens.
Many women are interested in the question of where to get vaccinated against cervical cancer? Based on the composition of the drug, the optimal method of injection is determined - intramuscular. Since recombinant vaccines are characterized by low reactogenicity, they contain aluminum hydroxide. It enhances the effect of immunity in response to the entry of active elements of the vaccine into the blood, simultaneously performing two functions. The first is the active adsorption of protein antigens, and the second is the induction of an inflammatory reaction at the site of drug administration. That is why the most correct place for injection will be a part of the body with developed muscle tissue, i.e. hip or shoulder.
When administering the drug, it is important to get it directly into the muscle - this way the vaccine will enter the bloodstream at maximum speed, ensuring the formation of special antibodies to protect against HPV. If the vaccine gets into the fat layer or skin, it will cause a low release rate, which means the destruction of active particles and the ineffectiveness of the vaccine.
Injecting the vaccine into one of the buttocks is prohibited, as it can cause various complications, for example, injury to the sciatic nerve from a syringe needle. The ineffectiveness of such vaccination is due to the deep location of muscle fibers in the buttock.
Names of vaccinations
Vaccination against cervical cancer protects against the main causative agent of the disease, papillomavirus. Statistics show that in our time, up to 60% of women around the world are infected with this virus. It is not surprising that this diagnosis ranks third among the most common cancers.
The names of HPV vaccinations that are used in modern medicine are Gardasil (an American drug) and Cervarix (a Belgian vaccine). Both vaccines are administered once in a lifetime. Their effective action aimed at preventing the development of malignant tumors has been proven.
"Gardasil" belongs to the group of mandatory vaccinations in the USA and Australia - it is administered to all girls aged 11-13 years. This vaccine contains components against 4 types of HPV - 6, 11, 16 and 18. Cervarix protects only against 2 types of HPV - 16 and 18.
As active components, vaccines contain only parts of the protein shells of HPV, which guarantees their complete safety from the point of view of infection. Excipients are aluminum hydroxide, yeast elements, preservatives and antibacterial agents. Vaccines are produced in the form of suspensions, ready for use and poured into vials or disposable syringes with an exact dosage of the drug. In general, three doses must be administered according to specific schedules. The optimal temperature for storing vaccines is 2-8 °C. Vaccines cannot be replaced or alternated, i.e. In a vaccination course consisting of 3 doses, the same drug must be used.
Recently, cancer has become quite common, but vaccination against cervical cancer will help prevent the development of some forms. With its help, it is possible to prevent infection with the papilloma virus, which subsequently leads to the appearance of cancerous tumors. This vaccination must be done according to a strictly defined scheme, thanks to which it is possible to achieve maximum effectiveness from its implementation. The creation of a vaccine against cervical cancer was achieved only after the causes of the development of this disease were determined. To combat human papillomavirus infection, drugs have been developed, one of which is Gardasil.
Over 90% of the entire population is a carrier of papillomavirus, so we can safely say that it is very common. It is also worth knowing that the strain of papillomavirus has many varieties, but not all cause cancer. Thus, the development of oncology is promoted by strains 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58, while types 6 and 11 of the virus can cause the formation of precancerous elements, which include papillomas that develop in the respiratory organs, as well as genital condylomas.
The developed vaccines against “uterine” cancer do not contain antigens of all strains of papillomavirus, but only of the types listed above, which are the most dangerous. As mentioned above, a vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer, the name of which is “Gardasil” and it is worth learning more about it.
"Gardasil" is a Dutch drug that contains antigens against strains of human papillomavirus infection. These antigens are not active viruses, but only their shells, which contain protein.
Since they do not contain genetic information from dangerous viruses, they will not reproduce in the body, so it will not be possible to become infected with them.
Also, the vaccine against cervical cancer contains substances such as:
- yeast-based proteins;
- antibiotic;
- certain beneficial preservatives;
- aluminum hydroxide.
Today there are 2 types of Gardasil:
- tetravalent – it contains antigens to several of the most aggressive strains;
- nine-valent - this type includes antigens of all of the above strains that cause the development of cancer cells.
Thanks to this vaccine, it is possible to protect against diseases such as:
- papillomas of the anus;
- warts and condylomas appearing on the genitals;
- oncological pathologies of the female genital organs that are caused by HPV.
The main indications for vaccination against cancer developing on the cervix are:
- prevention of infectious pathologies caused by HPV, as well as precancerous conditions;
- prevention of malignant tumors of the cervix, as well as cancer, which quite often appears in this organ.
Vaccination against cervical cancer is carried out at 12-14 and 18-25 years. These categories were carefully selected based on numerous studies that determined the degree of effectiveness and action of the vaccine. This is explained by the fact that human papillomavirus often enters the female body with the onset of intimate life. That is why this injection is given to girls even before sexual activity; thanks to this, the greatest effect can be obtained.
Although Gardasil can be administered up to age 45, the best results will be obtained when vaccinated at a young age.
It is worth knowing that even if HPV is present in the body of an adult woman, the vaccine will prevent its destructive effect on the cervix.
In some regions of Russia, this vaccination is included in the vaccination calendar and is given free of charge.
Before vaccination, you need to follow certain rules according to which vaccination is carried out, these include:
- visit doctor;
- measuring body temperature;
- avoiding infection with viruses and infectious pathologies.
Before the procedure, a woman should definitely consult a doctor, since high body temperature and exacerbations of female diseases can harm the body and also prevent the vaccine from working. How is vaccination, also called human immunization schedule, carried out?
The vaccination, which protects the uterine cavity and its cervix from cancer, is carried out directly intramuscularly. Most often, laboratory assistants give an injection into the brachial muscle. At the same time, doctors already have the required dose of the drug in syringes, which is disposable.
In total, a woman needs to be injected with two types of vaccines, which differ significantly in the way they affect the body:
- Gardasil - it is administered immediately after visiting the doctor, and then exactly 60 days after the first vaccination. The third vaccination is given six months later. If the woman does not develop infectious pathologies.
- The HPV vaccine (Cervarix) is given during the first Gardasil injection.
Vaccination against cervical cancer, despite the downward trend in incidence, is becoming increasingly important. This is evidenced by statistics from the WHO (World Health Organization) - 500 thousand cases of the disease are registered annually in the world, and about 700 million people are infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Among all malignant pathologies among Russian women whose age does not exceed 45 years, this pathology is in second place in terms of prevalence after malignant breast tumors.
Preventive vaccination and assessment of its effectiveness
As a result of long-term studies, by 2008, a connection was proven between the development of malignant tumors (in the anogenital zone, on the genitals, head, neck, mucous membranes of the oral cavity, larynx and pharynx) with highly oncogenic strains of the papilloma virus.
Certain types of the virus are classified as sexually transmitted infectious agents. Therefore, infection often occurs already at the beginning of sexual life. The virus is capable of persisting in the human body for many years and, under favorable conditions, causing disease for 20 years after infection. It has been established that the development of condylomas in the anogenital area is provoked in 90% by types 6 and 11, and in almost 80% of cases by types 16 and 18 of the virus.
After the development and implementation of appropriate vaccines, vaccination is now used in more than 60 countries. Some countries (Canada, Sweden, Belgium, USA, Australia, New Zealand) have adopted national vaccination programs with the quadrivalent vaccine and the first encouraging results of prevention have already been published.
Vaccination against cervical cancer is most successfully carried out in Australia, where it is implemented on the basis of a properly structured and organized government program. Wide coverage of the population subject to vaccination was facilitated by a widespread public information campaign through the media.
In 2007, girls aged 12 and 13 years were vaccinated at school in all regions of Australia. In addition, women under 26 years of age could undergo this procedure free of charge for two years. After 4 years, the results of the implementation of the preventive vaccination program were summed up. They showed that the number of precancerous lesions of the cervix among young women decreased by almost 40%, and anogenital warts completely disappeared among women under 30 years of age.
Such results led in 2012 to the decision of the Australian government to also vaccinate boys aged 9 to 14 years against HPV. This was pursued such goals as protecting them from malignant tumors of the genital organs and lower parts of the rectum, from anogenital warts, as well as reducing the degree of circulation of the virus among the population.
In a number of large regions of Russia (St. Petersburg, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Smolensk and other regions), corresponding programs have also been implemented since 2008, which provide for the age of girls from 12 to 13 years. However, vaccination is carried out not in schools, as recommended by WHO, but in children's clinics. This may explain the low participation in the program. For example, in Moscow only 5% have been vaccinated.
Should I get vaccinated against cervical cancer?
In 2009, WHO recommended that all countries include this antiviral immunization in the vaccination schedule, and in 2012, consider it among the priority vaccination programs for the population. Of course, given the possibility of a long period of occurrence of cervical cancer after infection with the papilloma virus, the results of mass vaccination of the population can only be reliably assessed after ten years or more.
However, indirect conclusions about the effectiveness of such programs were made already 3-4 years after the start of their implementation. The results were analyzed based on the degree of reduction in the incidence of anogenital warts. For this purpose, it was the quadrivalent vaccine against cervical cancer that was used, since it has a broad spectrum of action.
This drug causes the body to produce antibodies and prevents infection not only by those types of papillomavirus that are characterized by high oncogenicity. It provides protection against even more common but less oncogenic types that cause the development of anogenital genital warts and penile cancer (strains 6 and 11).
Vaccines and rules for their use
Two vaccines are used worldwide to prevent cervical cancer:
- Quadrivalent Gardasil, which was registered in the USA in 2006 and is aimed at preventing infection with HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Its effectiveness has been proven in the prevention of cancer and vaginal and vulvar cancer, as well as anogenital genital warts and dysplastic lesions of the anal area.
- The divalent Cervarix, registered in the same year in England and directed against HPV strains 16 and 18, is effective in preventing dysplastic changes in the cervix and its damage by malignant neoplasms.
Both drugs are approved for use in Russia. They are a suspension containing virus-like purified L 1 protein particles. The latter are obtained using a recombinant technological process and are fixed on the AS04 adjuvant system or on amorphous aluminum hydroxysulfate as an adjuvant. Vaccines do not contain viral DNA, so infection is not possible.
Where do you get the cervical cancer vaccine?
The drugs are available in bottles or disposable syringes of 0.5 milliliters (1 dose) and are administered only intramuscularly into the outer upper third of the shoulder (deltoid muscle) or into the area of the outer upper sections of the middle 1/3 of the thigh. Full vaccination, regardless of age, includes:
- First introduction.
- After 2 months.
- Six months after the first administration.
Immunization is also allowed 1 and 3 months (respectively) after the first administration. The vaccines are approved for use in girls and women from 9 to 45 years of age.
Until what age is vaccination against cervical cancer given?
The maximum effect of immunization can be achieved before the body potentially encounters the virus. Vaccination against HPV after infection, naturally, cannot have any preventive effect. Considering that infection occurs through sexual contact, it is absolutely clear that it is most advisable to vaccinate before sexual activity begins, that is, for children 12 to 14 years of age. This is in accordance with WHO recommendations.
At the same time, vaccination against HPV in the presence of the virus identified as a result of the examination is also possible for women under 26 years of age. This is due to the fact that the drugs are almost 47% capable of causing cross-immune protection against other oncogenic viruses and dysplastic lesions of the cervix, regardless of the strain of the papilloma virus.
Vaccination for women after 30 years of age sometimes makes sense for the same reasons, but it is more appropriate in cases where there has been no prior sexual intercourse. Although some clinicians note a milder course of cervical lesions and a higher degree of effectiveness of specific therapy for an existing disease after vaccination, these data are still isolated and require further research.
Complications
Does the cervical cancer vaccine cause infertility?
This statement appears in some articles. However, clinical trials conducted with a large number of participants do not confirm such statements. Isolated cases of infertility in vaccinated women are only a coincidence and have nothing to do with the effects of vaccines.
Contraindications for their use are acute infectious disease and an allergic reaction resulting from the first administration of the drug. In addition, immunization with Gardasil is not recommended during pregnancy. Despite the fact that its negative effect on pregnancy was not noted, it is recommended to use contraceptives during vaccination, and if pregnancy has already occurred, subsequent administrations should be carried out in the postpartum period.
The consequences of vaccination against cervical cancer are possible in the form of local and general reactions:
- soreness, itching, swelling and redness at the injection site;
- sometimes there may be an increase in body temperature to 38 ° or higher;
- Quite often nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain may occur;
- allergic reactions in the form of urticaria and skin itching;
- headache, dizziness, fatigue and feeling of general malaise;
- muscle and joint soreness, feeling of muscle weakness.
These side effects are not specific to these vaccines and often occur with any vaccination.
Due to the fact that the period of observation of the immunized population is not very long, it is very difficult to estimate the duration of immunity. However, judging by the (relatively recent) study data assessing the longevity and effectiveness of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine, which were published in the journal Pediatrics, after an 8-year period, symptoms of infection and serious side effects of the drug were not found in any of the vaccinated people. were.
Article outline
Oncological diseases rank first in the world in mortality, and the number of patients with such diagnoses is increasing. In all countries, scientists are working to create medications to treat and prevent this disease.
Cervical cancer is very common in women. It is diagnosed in 10% of patients annually. And death as a result of the disease is possible in 70-90% of cases, depending on the degree of damage that has occurred.
Researchers believe that the cause of cancer is a certain papillomavirus, but there is controversy about this. To avoid the occurrence of pathology, a vaccination against cervical cancer was created. Anticancer drugs appeared not so long ago; they have both supporters and opponents. Let's try to figure out whether cancer can be prevented by vaccination, up to what age it is possible and how much it costs.
How does the vaccine work?
The human papillomavirus is ubiquitous. It is found in 90% of the world's population and is represented by numerous strains. However, not all of them are causative agents of oncology. The development of cancer is stimulated by the following types of HPV: 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58. Two other strains, 11 and 6, can provoke the appearance of precancerous formations - condylomas of the reproductive organs and papillomas in the respiratory tract. Cervical cancer vaccinations include these types of antigens. Consequently, they protect against infection not by any, but only by the most dangerous HPV.
The domestic pharmaceutical market has two vaccines against cervical cancer:
Both are foreign-made. They do not contain live viruses, but only the protein shells of pathogens that do not have the genetic information of HPV; they do not reproduce, so infection does not occur through these drugs. The vaccine for girls includes several more components: aluminum hydroxide, antibiotic, preservative, yeast protein.
These drugs prevent the formation of a cancerous tumor of the cervical uterus.
The effectiveness of the vaccine has been tested repeatedly in different countries.
According to the staff of the Oncology Research Institute, if vaccination is carried out in full, this will provide 100% protection against the disease. But this does not mean that a woman will never develop cancer in her life. Vaccination protects against infection only by the strains included in the preparations.
Experiments have shown that vaccination creates the necessary immune barrier in 97-100% of patients. Gardasil is effective for 5 years, and Cervavix is effective for more than 6 years.
The cancer vaccine with this name contains 2 main components: antigens 16 and 18 strains of the human papillomavirus. Hence, it prevents diseases caused by these two types. Such a vaccination will not save you from precancerous conditions.
The manufacturer of the drug is Glasosmithklein.
The vaccine includes adjuvants—substances that stimulate the production of antibodies. Another drug (Gardasil) does not contain them. This component enhances the body's immune response and makes protection against cancer longer.
In the Russian Federation, Cervavix began to be used in 2008.
Doctors warn women that there may be side effects from cancer vaccines:
- pain, swelling and swelling at the injection site;
- increased body temperature up to 38 degrees;
- fatigue, apathy;
- aches in muscles and joints;
- urticaria, angioedema;
- dizziness
Severe manifestations of allergies after vaccination are very rare. Usually such reactions are local in nature. Patients under 16 years of age may experience fainting. Their cause has not yet been established and is determined by immunologists.
All side effects usually go away on their own, without consequences.
The drug is manufactured by Merc & Co. In the Russian Federation it has been used since 2006. The anti-cancer vaccine with this name comes in two types:
- 4-valent, containing strains 6, 11, 16, 18;
- 9-valent, which also includes 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 types of virus
The second option is rarely used. In America, for example, it was approved only in 2014.
Gardasil is used to prevent the following diseases:
- oncology of female reproductive organs caused by HPV;
- warts and condylomas on the genitals;
- anal papillomas
Possible adverse reactions to the drug are approximately the same as in the previous case.
At what age should the vaccine be given?
Vaccination is carried out for girls and women aged 10-14 and 18-25 years. The International Health Organization conducted a study of the effectiveness of vaccination and focused on these age categories. For what reason is it most advisable to administer drugs during these periods? As a rule, the HPV virus infects the human body at the beginning of sexual life. Therefore, it is advisable to vaccinate girls at school, before the reproductive system matures. Then the effect will be greatest.
The annotations for the drugs state that vaccination can be carried out up to 25 years of age, but the longer it is delayed, the lower the level of protection will be.
Until what age does it still make sense to get vaccinated against cervical cancer?
The results of experiments with Gardasil showed that it can be used up to 45 years. Even if the HPV virus already exists in a woman's body, the vaccine will prevent it from destroying the cervix. However, there are doctors who believe that it is pointless to be vaccinated against this disease after the start of sexual intercourse.
Prices
The approximate cost of a vaccine against cervical cancer is 6,000 rubles. The manufacturer of the drugs and the pharmacies where they are supplied determine exactly how much the vaccination will cost. But in general, the price of immunization has become more affordable, so more and more women are taking advantage of this opportunity.
Reviews
The appearance of a vaccine against cervical cancer in Russia has caused active discussions among doctors and ordinary women. This is clearly demonstrated on forums on social networks.
According to reviews from experts, it is clear that some consider the innovation to “dupe” people, while others consider it a life-saving achievement of medicine. Here are examples of reviews:
“Gardasil is a strong vaccine. It is intended for girls 10-26 years old, but scientists say that it can help even at 45 years old. I believe that you should be vaccinated in any case, even when you already have HPV. However, then the doctor must warn the patient that this form of the disease will not go away, but the girl will no longer become infected with other strains of the virus”;
“I thought about it for a long time, but decided not to do it for my daughter. It seems to me that someone makes money or writes dissertations on such inventions.”
It is up to the woman to decide whether to immunize or not, but it is advisable to consult with an experienced doctor.
Currently, vaccination against cervical cancer at state expense is offered only to teenage girls living in Moscow. To do this, you need to visit the city clinic during office hours and exactly when vaccination against this disease is carried out. In other cities and regions, immunization is done only at the expense of the patient. This is due to the imported production of drugs such as Cervavix and Gardalex and their expensive purchase.
The vaccination can be done in the department of any district hospital, where medicines are always available. As a rule, women turn to hospitals for this service, since there they can immediately take a smear for microflora and consult a gynecologist.
HPV vaccination is also carried out by private medical clinics, but the cost of the procedure is slightly higher.
Where do you get the HPV vaccine?
The human papillomavirus vaccine is administered intramuscularly. It is then that the drug enters the blood faster and ensures the formation of antibodies, which will subsequently protect the body from HPV. Most often, the injection is given in the deltoid brachialis muscle.
If the vaccine gets into the subcutaneous fat layer, the procedure will most likely be ineffective. Under no circumstances should you vaccinate against HPV in the buttock; complications are possible.
Typically, drugs are sold in required doses, which are in syringes.
Immunization with the two known vaccines is carried out differently:
- primary injection;
- repeated - after 2 months;
- next one – 6 months after the first one
- 1st input;
- 2nd - in a month;
- 3rd - six months after the first
For the full effect of vaccination, you must complete the entire course. There is no need to repeat immunization.
Is the vaccine effective in the presence of a virus?
Vaccination of a woman already infected with HPV, of course, will no longer protect against infection. But according to research by Russian scientists, the drug can stimulate the process of self-healing. Therefore, vaccination against cervical cancer is recommended for all women under 35 years of age.
However, you need to remember: the vaccine does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases.
The quadrivalent vaccine or vaccination against cervical cancer has already managed to save many women. And although cancer diseases have not yet been studied, and a cure for treatment has not been invented, you can only protect and prevent a possible disease. This must be done in specialized institutions, under the supervision of a doctor. Before vaccination, you should undergo examinations and consult a doctor.
Vaccination against cervical cancer disease
There are about 100 forms of HPV and only a few can cause warts and papillomas. More than 40 of them can affect the mucous membranes in the genital area. Doctors say that about 80-90 percent suffer from HPV.
It is customary to divide viruses that are sexually transmitted: low and high risk. Low-type viruses can cause warts on the genitals and cervix, but with good functioning of the immune system, the disease is quickly eliminated.
High-risk viruses can cause precancerous lesions, cervical cancer or cancer of the external genitalia. The use of the vaccine usually protects against the possible formation of cancer cells.
During the research, scientists came to the conclusion that the vaccine cannot be the cause of the human papillomavirus. The suspension contains only the outer shell of the virus cells, and this is enough for the immune system. When a foreign element enters the blood, an immediate reaction occurs with the production of antibodies. There are usually two manufacturers of vaccinations: Cervarix and Gardasil. And although these drugs protect the body, they also have disadvantages.
Effect of the vaccine
Cancer cells can develop unhindered because the immune system cannot cope with them. Simply put, the immune system does not see cancer cells the same way as a regular virus. And if the virus can destroy the body itself, then cancer gradually accumulates and forms tumors.
Vaccination and the protein in the vaccine gives an impetus to the functioning of the immune system. The immune system is activated and can fight cancer cells. Even minor cancer cells will be destroyed before they can develop into tumors.
This vaccine is a little different because it is caused by HPV. Vaccines act against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. They protect a person from the formation of papillomas on the genitals, as well as on the cervix and vaginal mucosa. The vaccine does not mean that a woman will not get sick, but in this case, the possibility of developing uterine cancer is minimized.
What is the cervical cancer vaccine?
Leading doctors believe that vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from uterine cancer. A vaccine is a drug that is administered to help the body develop immunity to resist HPV. The vaccine usually does not cause any discomfort during the injection and is painless.
A woman should choose a vaccine independently, but consultation with a gynecologist is required. Additionally, you can consult an immunologist. The drug chosen by the woman should be injected intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle of the shoulder. A slight inflammatory process at the injection site is possible. There is a schedule that provides for three injections at intervals.
Only after vaccination, immunity against the virus will protect a woman for the rest of her life. You should not vaccinate in the buttock, as this may cause complications or ineffectiveness of the vaccine. The most common problem is sciatic nerve injury.
The vaccination schedule must be drawn up by a doctor. Usually, the second injection is given exactly one month after the first, and the third - six months later. It is important to follow this schedule, this will guarantee that the vaccination will be effective. If there is a need to vaccinate in an accelerated manner, this must be done with the permission of a doctor. The second and third injections are given with a break of one month.
Vaccination should be carried out only after examination by a doctor. If diseases are detected, it is worth treating them and then vaccinating them.
Where to vaccinate?
You should get vaccinated against uterine cancer at a medical center. The vaccine should be administered by an immunologist, gynecologist or oncologist. If a preliminary laboratory study makes sense, it is worth doing.
Vaccination can also be carried out in:
- clinics at the place of registration;
- in immunology centers, such as there are in big cities. It is in the immunology center that you can conduct tests and immediately find out the result;
- in a gynecological clinic.
It is recommended to carry out vaccination in special institutions, because this is the only way to be sure that the vaccination was carried out correctly and it will be effective. When buying a vaccine at a pharmacy before vaccination, you should make sure that it has the correct expiration date, the integrity of the packaging, and the quality certificate. After the vaccination has been administered, you should stay in the doctor’s office for a few minutes. This is to avoid shock and to provide medical care.
The HPV vaccine should always have a stamp and hologram on the package. In some countries, vaccination against HPV and in particular against uterine cancer is mandatory in all schools for girls aged 12-14 years. This is important, because the vaccine should be given to girls who have not yet entered into sexual activity and are not infected.
Best age for vaccination
Manufacturers and researchers say that girls under 26 years of age should be vaccinated against cervical cancer. The effectiveness of the vaccine for people over this age has not yet been studied. To build immunity and protect against the virus, you should vaccinate at the recommended time.
Vaccination against uterine cancer involves administration to different age categories (9-14 years and from 18 to 26 inclusive). In Russia, this vaccination is included in the calendar in schools and is given to girls at the age of 12. The health organization recommends vaccinations from 10 to 13 years and from 16 to 23. This is the optimal age for a vaccine against uterine cancer.
If a girl who is vaccinated is sexually active, it is worth notifying the doctor and getting tested.
Doctors say that teenage girls who are successfully immunized have more effective protection than those who were vaccinated at an older age.
Contraindications for vaccination
You should not get vaccinated in the following cases:
- Vaccination against cervical cancer should not be given to pregnant women or women during lactation. Vaccination against cervical cancer, the consequences during this period can have an impact on the child’s condition. After the end of the lactation period, vaccination can be done after being examined by a doctor;
2. For cervical dysplasia, erosion and other neoplasms of the reproductive system, vaccination is not recommended. This is possible with possible treatment. It is recommended to wait several months after treatment, carry out repeated tests and only then vaccinate;
3. You cannot vaccinate if you have allergies. Especially if you are allergic to baker's yeast. Since this product is a component of the vaccine;
4. Vaccination is not recommended if, after the first administration of the drug, the patient experienced severe allergies or other complications. This could be an allergic reaction, rash or other complications.
A woman who has a respiratory illness or fever should reschedule vaccination to another time. Before each vaccination it is worth conducting an examination.
Consequences of vaccination
It has not been medically confirmed that the cervical cancer vaccine causes infertility; it is only known that after vaccination the ovaries may not function well for a short time. In some cases, disturbances in the course of menstruation are possible.
The vaccine can have consequences, and this is why it is used after the age of 15. Before vaccination, you should familiarize yourself with the possible consequences and risks. Canada has banned the use of this vaccine in its country.
Possible consequences of vaccination:
- Temporary feeling of a cold;
- Slight fever;
- A slight increase in body temperature in a woman;
- Severe headaches, malaise;
- Some girls showed slight swelling of the body.
To prevent uterine cancer, it is important to get vaccinated in a timely manner and carry out the following preventive measures:
- Visit a gynecologist at least once a year;
- Take a cytological test or other tests recommended by your doctor;
- If erosion is detected, it is worth conducting additional tests. Now erosion is not considered a serious disease, but it is necessary to treat it, especially for those who want to carry out further vaccination.
Cervical cancer is considered a dangerous disease that is best detected in the early stages. Cancer can form over many years and be asymptomatic. The vaccine can prevent the development of such a disease. It is worth warning your doctor about the consequences after vaccination.
A visit to the gynecologist and timely vaccination will help avoid complex diseases like cervical cancer. Vaccination should be carried out after a full examination and consultation. It is possible to prevent cancer; this requires regular screening. Uterine cancer is a disease that develops due to a chronic infectious process that causes HPV. Vaccination helps produce antibodies and protect a woman’s body. Doctors recommend vaccination as early as possible, thereby preventing the disease from manifesting itself.
