HPV Vaccination Service

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus. In fact, over 200 different versions have been identified. It’s also thought that nearly everyone will get a HPV infection at some point in their lives but in most cases will not realise. Usually, the immune system will clear the infection naturally and you won’t experience any symptoms. 
Sometimes the HPV infection can survive and live in your body, resulting in serious symptoms and diseases including: 
• warts on your skin 
• warts on and around your genitals and anus (genital warts) 
• cervical cancer 
• cancer of the vagina, cervix, penis, and anus 
• cancer of the mouth, tonsils, and throat 

HPV infections are most often caught through skin-to-skin contact. The longer skin is in contact, the more of a chance the virus must spread to the other person. Sex is the most common method of transmission. HPV can also be passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy. 
Anyone can catch a HPV infection, but those most at risk include people who: 
• have had multiple sexual partners 
• have had sexual partner who has had multiple sexual partners 
• have weakened immune systems 

The vaccine that will be administered as part of the CarePlus Pharmacy HPV Vaccination Service is the HPV9 vaccine (Gardasil 9) which protects against the HPV types that cause approximately 90% of cervical cancers, 85-90% of HPV related vulvar cancers, 90-95% of HPV related anal cancer, and 90% of genital warts [1]. This is the same vaccine that is administered as part of the national programme. Further information about the vaccine, including information about safety, efficacy and side effects can be found at the following links. 
Vaccine Patient Information Leaflet or on HSE website by clicking  
here. 
Patients aged 17 to 44 require a course of three vaccinations. One on the first visit, the second after two months and the third six months after the first appointment. 

The HPV vaccine, administered in the upper arm, is not a live vaccine - it is an inactivated vaccine that does not contain any live bacteria or viruses and cannot cause the diseases against which it protects. 
It’s best to have the HPV vaccine before you become sexually active. You can also benefit from a HPV vaccine at an older age. This is because there are many varieties of the HPV virus, and the vaccine can protect you even if you’ve already been infected by some of them. 
You are suitable to be vaccinated if you: : 
• are between 17 and 45 years old 
• haven't already completed the full course of the HPV vaccine 
• aren’t pregnant 
• haven’t had an allergic reaction to a vaccine before 
• don’t have a high temperature on the day of your appointment 

The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect yourself against HPV infections. As with any medication, vaccines can cause side effects in some people. These side effects tend to be mild and short-lasting for the HPV vaccine; for example, a sore arm at the injection site. Severe or lasting side effects are extremely rare with vaccinations as there are rigorous clinical trials before they are approved for use and scientists continually monitor the safety of vaccines as they’re in use. 

When the first HPV vaccines were developed, they were usually only given to girls. Today it’s recommended that boys have the HPV vaccine too, as the vaccine can protect them from infections and lower the risk of developing warts and HPV-related cancers. Vaccinating boys also helps to reduce the spread of HPV infections. 

No. While almost every man and woman will get HPV infection at some point in their lives, it usually clears up by itself. When HPV infection doesn’t clear up by itself, it becomes a problem, as it could lead to cancers. There is no way to tell who will clear the virus and who won’t which is why prevention is so important. 

In Ireland, the National HPV Immunisation Programme offers vaccination to all boys and girls in first year of secondary school. HPV immunisation is most effective before a person becomes sexually active. The vaccine is also offered to certain adults up to the age of 45, who are eligible and at-risk. HPV immunisation prevents certain HPV infection which can lead to cancers like cervical cancer and anal cancer. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Advisory Committee for Vaccine Safety (GACVS) has reviewed the evidence on the safety of the HPV vaccine in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2015. WHO has never reported safety concerns with HPV vaccines. 
Common side effects of HPV vaccine can include: 
• Pain, redness, or swelling in the arm where the injection was given 
• Fever 
• Headache or feeling tired 
• Nausea 
• Muscle or joint pain 
• Dizziness 

The current national recommendation is that revaccination with HPV9 where someone has completed a vaccination course with another HPV vaccine is not recommended as a routine. However, a doctor will decide if the benefit of immunity against the 5 additional types of HPV is justified for each patient. Both the HPV 4 and HPV 9 vaccines target HPV 16 and 18, types that cause approximately 66% of cervical cancers and most other HPV-associated cancers in men and women. Both vaccines also target HPV 6 and 11, types that cause anogenital warts. The HPV 9 vaccine offers protection against 5 cancer causing strains not covered by the HPV 4 vaccine (HPV 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58) which cause about 15% of cervical cancers. The benefit of protection against these 5 additional types is mostly limited to females for prevention of cervical cancers and pre-cancers; only a small percentage of HPV-associated cancers in males is due to the five additional types prevented by HPV9.