The HPV vaccine, administered under the brand name Gardasil, protects against the human papilloma virus, or HPV, which is linked to the development of cervical cancer. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. with about 20 million Americans having the disease at any given time, according to Medline Plus.
Virus
The human papilloma virus comes in many different strains. Some strains cause genital warts, small growths that can be contagious to others during sexual contact. Other strains can cause changes in the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 4000 women die in the U.S. every year from cervical cancer and many of these cases can be prevented by the HPV vaccine. Often, the virus does not produce any symptoms and people who are infected are frequently unaware that they have the disease.
Vaccination Mechanism
The HPV vaccine uses small viral particles, not a live virus, to serve as an antigen and prime the immune system. When these particles are injected into the body, the immune system responds by creating antibodies against the disease. If the individual later becomes exposed to the actual virus, the immune system destroys it before it can take hold.
Effectiveness
The HPV vaccine protects against four strains of human papilloma virus, according to MayoClinic.com. Two of these strains cause 90 percent of all diagnosed cases of genital warts. The other two strains are linked to 70 percent of all cervical cancer cases. Because the vaccine has only been available a short while, researchers know that it provides protection for at least 8 years and possibly more. For best effectiveness, the vaccine should be administered to young women before they become sexually active.
Vaccination Schedule
The HPV vaccine consists of three doses. The first dose can be given at any time, but the CDC recommends that girls get it sometime between the ages of 11 to 12. The second dose should be given two months after the first dose. The final dose should be given four months after the second dose, or six months after the first dose.
Side Effects
Side effects from the HPV virus are typically mild. Most people who receive the vaccine report some mild pain at the injection site. There may also be some swelling, redness or itchiness at the site of injection. Some people may also develop a mild fever or experience fainting after receiving the vaccine. Major side effects have not been linked to the HPV vaccine.
