Gardasil

The new vaccine against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which protects against both genital warts and cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer.

Mr Morris now offers Gardasil vaccinations. He believes that it is a major medical advance: since it is not only the it is the first vaccine able to protect against a major cause of cancer in women, but will also prevent genital warts.

You will need to book a consultation with Mr Morris for the first dose. At the consultation, Mr Morris will go through the benefits of treatment. He will then organise the follow up injections with a gynaecological nurse, or you can request that he carries out the injection.

What is HPV? Human Papilloma or wart virus

HPV is a DNA virus that is passed on via sexual contact. There are more than 100 HPV types and they infect genital areas. Sometimes they cause no harm and any potential infection is temporary. However, sometimes the virus persists and will cause cells to change, resulting:

Pre cancerous lesions
Genital warts.
But also the risk of cervical cancer

How does Gardasil work

GARDASIL is a novel vaccine, which will protect against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. These four types of HPV cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.

GARDASIL does not protect against diseases that are not caused by HPV (i.e. other cancers and other sexually transmitted diseases).

Gardasil may not protect against HPV types to which you may have already been exposed. Unfortunately there is currently no test available; to check which HPV type you have been exposed to.

Who should get vaccinated?

The vaccine is at present licensed for girls and women from 9 to 26 years of age. The vaccine is safe and effective in this age group. Ideally, all women should be vaccinated before they become sexually active so they will be immune to HPV.

Women who are sexually active will also benefit as they might not yet have acquired all four HPV types - so they may get some protection from the vaccine. Most people are not infected with all four HPV types.

Who should not receive Gardasil?

People allergic to vaccine ingredients (see website)
Pregnant women
People with a weakened immune system (e.g. those with HIV disease)
People with a bleeding disorder
People taking certain medicines (please ask for advice at time of vaccination)
Males (not yet licensed for use)

Possible side effects

The vaccine is usually well tolerated. The most likely side effects include - pain, itching, swelling at the injection site, fever, nausea, and dizziness.

How is Gardasil given?

Gardasil requires a total of 3 visits for 3 injections, at the following minimum intervals:

Initial dose
Second dose: 2 months later
Third dose: 4 months after the second dose

The beneficial effects of the vaccination

The length of vaccine protection is not known yet. To date, research shows that it protects for at least 5 years. It is possible that a booster may be needed at some point in the future, to maintain protection.

Girls and women who have been vaccinated will still need regular cervical cancer screening - this is because the vaccine does not protect against all the types of HPV.

Are there any other ways to prevent HPV?

The only sure way to prevent HPV is to abstain from sex. Sexually active adults can reduce their risk by limiting their number of sex partners and using condoms. Even people with only one partner can get HPV if their partner has been exposed to a previous partner with HPV.

This is why Gardasil represents such an important medical advance for women in the potential protection against a genital cancer.

Nicholas Morris

April 2008