The HPV vaccine is effective only after one shot, so are all three shots in vain?

It is hard to get a shot, and the topic is constantly trending. I am afraid that no other vaccine is as popular as the HPV vaccine. Today, the HPV vaccine is once again the number one trending topic.

The reason is that the World Health Organization's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) held a meeting from April 4 to 7 and announced that one dose of HPV vaccine can produce the same protective effect as 2 to 3 doses.

As soon as the news came out, Zhifei Bio, a domestic imported HPV vaccine agent, quickly plunged by more than 10%, and its total market value fell back below 200 billion.

How many shots of HPV vaccine will be needed in the future?

Let's take a look at the news released by SAGE, in which SAGE recommends the following immunization schedule for HPV vaccination:

Girls aged 9-14 years (the highest priority group) should receive one or two doses.

Young women aged 15-20 years old should receive one or two doses of the vaccine.

Females aged 21 years and older need two doses (6 months apart).

However, immunocompromised individuals, including those with HIV infection, should receive three doses if feasible and at least two doses.

We should also note that it is not a one-size-fits-all approach to administer one dose. The recommended doses vary depending on the age and immune capacity of the recipient.

In a related report from Caixin, the reporter said that some HPV vaccine manufacturers believe that the WHO's recommendation is intended to solve the huge gap between the supply and demand of HPV vaccines. At present, this recommendation does not have legal effect and is inconsistent with the vaccination instructions for vaccines that have been on the market. The vaccination instructions for vaccines that have been on the market are legally effective.

In my opinion, this is just a recommended vaccination schedule from SAGE. There is no clear conclusion on how to vaccinate, whether to follow the existing immunization schedule or follow the SAGE recommendations, either internationally or domestically. So friends who have received the third shot should not feel that it was a waste; friends who have already made an appointment for the second shot can still go for the vaccination as usual!

Why are people rushing to get the vaccine? Is it not possible to avoid getting the HPV vaccine?

According to WHO data, more than 95% of cervical cancers are caused by sexually transmitted HPV, which is the fourth most common type of cancer in women worldwide. On the other hand, without HPV infection, the chance of women developing cervical cancer is very, very low. Therefore, vaccinating women with HPV vaccine is an effective and necessary means to prevent cervical cancer.

Is it necessary to get the cervical cancer vaccine if I am over the age limit?

In China, the upper age limit for the bivalent and quadrivalent cervical cancer vaccines is 45 years old. Many people have questions: Can I still get vaccinated at the age of 46? Is there still any point in getting vaccinated?

Speaker: Ren Chang, deputy chief physician of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital

In fact, the best age to get the cervical cancer vaccine is before having sex. For example, countries such as the United States and Germany usually choose males or females aged 9-12 to get vaccinated. If you get vaccinated at this age, the body's immune response is the strongest and the protective effect is also the strongest.

As you age, your body's immune response will decline, and the vaccine's protective effect may not be as strong, and you may still be infected with the HPV virus. The United States believes that if you are over 27 years old, have sex, and have not received the cervical cancer vaccine before, you do not need to get a booster shot.

There is no data to prove how much benefit can be gained from cervical cancer vaccination after the age of 45. Therefore, if you are over 45 and in a traditional monogamous state, you do not need to get the cervical cancer vaccine, and even if you get the vaccine, it may not necessarily provide protection.

How long does the cervical cancer vaccine protect against? Do I need to get a booster shot?

At present, the vaccination time of cervical cancer vaccine is not particularly long, and it is uncertain how long the protective effect of the vaccine will last. According to the existing data, if the vaccination is successful and immune protection is produced, the protection time of the vaccine can reach ten years.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone that HPV vaccination is not a golden ticket to immunity. The prevention and control system of cervical cancer is divided into three levels. The diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer belongs to the third level of prevention and control, the screening of cervical cancer and the treatment of precancerous lesions belong to the second level of prevention and control, and the HPV vaccination belongs to the first level of prevention and control. We cannot simply withdraw the second line of defense because the first line of defense seems to be good. Therefore, even if you have received the HPV vaccine, you must follow the regular cervical cancer screening strategy and undergo regular cervical cancer screening.

References:

https://www.who.int/news/item/11-04-2022-one-dose-human-papillomavirus-(hpv)-vaccine-offers-solid-protection-against-cervical-cancer

https://www.yicai.com/news/101379566.html