Cervical cancer vaccines or Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines protect women against the HPV that causes almost all cervical cancers. HPV are a group of over 100 different strains of viruses. Some HPV strains are stronger to lead to the development of cancer than others.
Two common cervical cancer vaccines
There are two common HPV vaccines are recently on the market, Gardasil and Cervarix. Both cervical cancer vaccines can avoid major cases of cervical cancer if given before a woman or a girl is exposed to the virus.
Gardasil produced by Merck & Co. Inc., the vaccine has been licensed in over 75 countries including the United States. It protects against four HPV types: 16, 18, 6 and 11. HPV 16 and 18 are the cause for 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. The vaccine also blocks infection by HPV 6 and 11 strains that responsible for 90 percent of genital wart cases.
Cervarix was shown to be 93 percent efficacious in the prevention of cervical pre-cancers associated with HPV 16 or 18. Approximately 75 percent of cervical cancers in North America are caused by HPV types 16 and 18. The vaccine has been licensed in over 89 countries including the United States.
Who is the cervical cancer vaccine for?
The cervical cancer vaccine is encouraged for girl with ages 11 to 12, but recently has been expanded to include all girls up to 18 years and also girls as young as age 9.
It is urgent for girls or women to get the vaccination before they are exposed to HPV. The vaccine may not work anymore, once a woman or girl has been infected with HPV.
