Live Life Team
How is it performed,
Before HPV vaccination is given, you shall receive all the required information on the schedule and also consent form.
The vaccination schedule
HPV vaccination is given in form of an injection and it is injected into the child’s thigh or upper arm. Three doses will be required. If all the three are not given the protection against the virus is insufficient. After about 1-2 months second injection is given and after 6 months from the first injection the third will be given. This schedule can be flexible as per your needs. You can consult your GP for the same. HPV vaccine is a independent vaccine and cannot be combined with any other solutions or vaccine.
Side effects
In UK Clinical trials of HPV vaccination programme shows, the vaccine being used have caused some side effects among few people.
Common side effects
Few most common side effects are:
moderate to mild swelling, and
Redness and pain at the site of injection.
Few other side effects that are mild include:
Aches in muscles,
Diarrhoea
Dizziness
Sickness and nausea
Mild temperature
Consult your pharmacist or GP in case the side effects worsens or any other effects which is not mentioned above.
Mild allergic reactions
In rare cases, shortly after having the vaccine, your child may experience an allergic reaction in the form of a skin rash, or itching. If they have a slight allergic reaction to the vaccine, the health care professional who gave them the injection will know how treat it. They should still continue to receive further HPV vaccinations.
Severe allergic reactions
Seldom can we find any one getting allergic reactions to vaccines, this is known as anaphylactic reaction. Breathing difficulty and collapsing can be signs of an allergic reaction. These reaction are quite rare and once it occurs the health consultant is well trained in dealing in such situations. In case the child experiences anaphylactic reaction after treatment, they can recover completely within few hours.
Cautions
Age and length of protection
Children below the age of 10 years are not advised to take the HPV vaccination. Studies have resulted that, this vaccine protects for about four and half years once completing three doses. After that the it cannot be determined how long can this vaccine protect.
Other medications
You need to mention it to the GP in case the child has taken or is taking any medicines like steroids, as the vaccine is not very effective if taken with other medicines which suppress the immune system of the child. Research also suggests that consuming hormonal contraceptive like pill doesn’t decrease the protection which the vaccine is providing.
Ongoing research
Research is continuing into areas such as:
The protection provided by HPV vaccine is effective for how long and also whether boosters need to be given.
Can vaccination against some type of HPV have the ability to protect against other type which is not under the vaccination,
Can any other type of HPV take over causes of cancer especially cervical
What are the links in between HPV infection and cancers – for example, neck and head cancers or anal cancers, which can be associated with oral or anal sex,
