Pediatria pre prax 4/2016

Vaccination against HPV

Human papilomaviruses can cause several oncologic diseases. HPV infection is the most common when becoming sexually active, which is helped by anatomical at hormonal condition in adolescent age. Prophylactic vaccines protect cells against the virus entering the cell. This should help reduce the chance of getting certain oncologic diseases. Vaccination is recommended for young women and men before becoming sexually active, but also young women and men with sexual activity. Adolescents produce the highest amount of antibody titers, therefore 2 dose schedule is enough. Vaccination of boys and men leads to a decline of circulation of the viruses and increases the protection of women. Vaccination is legal since age of 9 years. Selection of the vaccine should be based on the local situation of circulating strains. The more antigens in the vaccine, the bigger the chance of preventing higher amount of cancer cases.

Keywords: vaccination against HPV, vaccination of men, cross protection, herd effect