HPV vaccination

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in women, and more than 95% of cervical cancer is caused by sexually transmitted HPV. Averting the development of cervical cancer by increasing access to effective vaccines is a highly significant step in alleviating unnecessary illness and death.

How can you protect yourself from HPV?

• Avoid promiscuous sexual intercourse.
• Use a condom.
• Don’t smoke.
• Go for regular health checkups.
• Get vaccinated.

Vaccination is most effective before being sexually active. A reliable sexual partner and/or using a condom reduces the risk of infection.

For the diagnosis of human papillomavirus infection on the cervix, HPV testing or Pap testing is used, and in men, a sample is taken from the foreskin.

In Estonia, HPV testing is used in cervical cancer screening. Women aged 30-65 are invited for screening every five years. Vaccination does not replace women’s screenings, regular health check-ups, or early treatment if necessary.

Is the human papillomavirus (HPV) dangerous?

HPV is currently known to cause cancer of the cervix, anus, vulva, vagina, penis and throat. All those HPV types are very contagious. In most cases, contraction of those types of HPV has no symptoms, so that the infected person will have no idea of the infection. In most cases, the infection persists for 1–2 years and then disappears by itself.

However, one in ten cases of the infection lasts longer and can cause precancerous formations. If those are not discovered on time, those may develop into cancer.

How does the vaccine work?

The HPV vaccine Gardasil 9 contains nine proteins that are similar to those of the human papillomavirus. Those are not live virus cells, nor can they bring about an infection; however, when the vaccine is injected to the body, the organism reacts to the proteins just as it would react the real virus. The body will produce antibodies against those particles, thereby creating a defense system that can ward off the real HPV virus when the body comes into contact with that. This is what helps prevent diseases caused by dangerous strains of HPV, such as cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, penis, oral cavity, as well as pre-cancerous conditions.  The vaccine also protects from the occurrence of genital warts (condyloma acuminatum). The vaccine does not contain live virus and cannot therefore cause an infection and is not dangerous.