Human Papillomavirus or HPV virus is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease (STD) affecting people’s lives worldwide, causing dangerous impacts such as cancers and even costing lives. So, considering all the negatives, including cancers and genital warts, HPV can cause various physical and mental health problems for people and their families. Even by causing cervical cancer may endanger a person’s ability to conceive and, therefore, their marriage. Fortunately, all of these unfortunates can be prevented by vaccination. HPV vaccine has been approved since the 2000s, and it is licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which assures people to get it. Although HPV has cost lives and harmed, its vaccine has saved countless lives; still, there is some important information that people need to know before getting HPV vaccine. This makes it necessary for us to discuss what to know before getting HPV vaccine; thus, if you want to make sure whether you should or should not get vaccinated, read this article till the end.
HPV Vaccine Safety
Human Papillomavirus or HPV may cause no symptoms at all, go away on its own, or cause severe effects, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and anal cancers, plus disturbing genital warts. Luckily, the HPV vaccine is very safe and up to 90 percent effective, which means it will prevent these harms, especially the strains that cause cancers. However, it is best to use HPV-qualified vaccines such as Gardasil, Gardasil 9, and Cervarix. Still, considering that these three vaccines are expensive for most people and are not available for everyone globally before getting HPV vaccine, people need to note that the biosimilar vaccines have a more affordable price and the same quality. Companies like Opal Biopharma are producing these HPV biosimilar vaccines, which are completely safe and healthy with high availability for everyone. As a result, everyone can get vaccinated and protect themselves and their families from this dangerous infection and its possible effects. In addition, before getting HPV vaccine, it is necessary to know whether you should or should not get it.
Who Should Get and Who Should Avoid?
As mentioned above, before getting HPV vaccine, it is crucial to note that it is safe and will provide immunity against HPV harm. Hence, people in developed countries such as Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and some developing countries are getting this vaccine knowing the role of HPV vaccines in global health. Yet, before getting HPV vaccine is necessary to know whether you should get vaccinated or avoid it to prevent some side effects. In short, almost everyone can get these vaccines especially approved ones, and there are just some precautions and circumstances for others who may need to avoid them or see a doctor before getting vaccinated. Details are discussed in the following.
Who Should Get an HPV Vaccine?
Considering that HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) and almost every sexually active person in their lifetime will be infected by this virus at some point, everyone must get vaccinated to be immune against HPV-Related cancers and genital warts. Altogether, these people are recommended to get vaccinated, but before getting HPV vaccine, they need to learn about its side effects and qualifications:
- All preteens need to get the HPV vaccine since they are not sexually active yet and are not infected by the virus. On the other hand, before getting HPV vaccine, parents should know that the best age is 11-12 for all girls and boys since the vaccination works best for these young people. However, vaccination can start at the age of 9.
- Teens and adults through age 26 should get the vaccine, but it is best to see a doctor before getting HPV vaccine to avoid any possible problems.
- HPV vaccination is not recommended for people older than 26 years old since it is likely that they have already been exposed to some of these infection strains. So, it will not have the expected impact or provide enough immunity for people older than 26. However, some people aged 26-45 can be vaccinated if they want to, but on the condition of a doctor’s recommendation.
Who Should Avoid HPV Vaccines?
Although the HPV vaccine is considered a lifesaving innovation and is approved by the FDA, some people should still avoid it. Generally, three types of people should avoid this vaccination or need to see a doctor before getting HPV vaccine:
- People who have had severe allergic reactions to any ingredients of the HPV vaccine or any of its previous doses should avoid the vaccination.
- Even though the HPV vaccine is safe for pregnant women and there hasn’t been any harm to the baby or the mother who gets vaccinated, this vaccine is not recommended for pregnant people since more studies are required in this area so that pregnant women would get vaccinated without any worries.
- HPV vaccine is not recommended for people with yeast allergies, yet some of them get vaccinated after seeing a doctor.
Additionally, people who are ill and have a fever or other similar symptoms before getting HPV vaccine should delay the vaccination to not mistake the illness’s symptoms with HPV vaccine side effects.
Effectiveness
Almost everyone wants to know how effective the vaccination is before getting HPV vaccine. Fortunately, this popular and lifesaving vaccine is very effective, so when it comes to preventing HPV-Related cancers, the chances are very high, and they stand up to 97 percent. Also, HPV vaccination will provide immunity against HPV warts and is about 100 percent successful in preventing them. However, some factors, such as the age of getting vaccinated and not already being exposed or affected by the virus, can influence the vaccine’s effectiveness. If the Human Papillomavirus has infected the person before getting HPV vaccine, luckily, the vaccination will provide immunity against other strains of the disease. Therefore, the HPV vaccine as a lifesaving innovation plays a vital role in global health and wellness by protecting people against cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, and penile cancer, plus genital warts.
HPV Vaccine Side Effects
Despite being safe to get, the HPV vaccine may have some side effects like any other important vaccine, so everyone to be aware of them before getting HPV vaccine. The common side effects include symptoms such as pain and redness in the injection area, fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, and rare side effects include hives and fainting. However, the chances of hives and fainting are very low. In addition, to avoid fainting, dizziness, and feeling sick, people should sit or lie down for about 15 minutes after getting HPV vaccine. Tell your healthcare provider or doctor if you feel unwell and continue after vaccination.
Best HPV Vaccines
The three types of HPV vaccines, including Gardasil, Gardasil 9, and Cervarix, are approved and licensed so everyone can use them without worrying. However, high prices and low availability for all people worldwide are two major problems with these vaccines. Hence, knowing that the HPV biosimilar vaccines, besides being available for everyone at much more affordable prices, have the same quality, they are considered the best HPV vaccines. Accordingly, everyone can use these essential vaccines and protect themselves and their partners. Thanks to science and providers, people can help stop the prevalence of this infection, which is easily transmitted through any sexual activity, such as anal, vaginal, and even oral sex.
Summary
HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is the most widespread sexually transmitted infection that can quickly infect sexually active people through any sexual activity and causes various types of harm and problem, such as cancers and genital warts. Since its prevalence, alongside not having symptoms in some people, is causing a lot of infected people every day, everyone must get the vaccine and help to stop the cycle. However, learning about important information such as safety, effectiveness, and side effects is necessary before getting HPV vaccine. First of all, this vaccination is approved and completely safe, so everyone, especially preteens, can and should get it without being worried, yet, pregnant women, people with yeast allergies, and allergies to any vaccine ingredients should avoid vaccination. Secondly, the HPV vaccine is 97 percent successful and effective in preventing cancers and 100 percent for preventing genital warts. Lastly, knowledge about a vaccine’s side effects is very important before getting vaccinated and the HPV vaccine side effects include symptoms such as fever, redness at the site of the injection, muscle pain, headache, dizziness, nausea, and in some rare cases, fainting, of course, these side effects are just about qualified and biosimilar vaccines, so unqualified ones can have dangerous effects. All of these will easily result in a better and healthier world where people will not suffer from cancers or other harms caused by the HPV virus.
