HPV vaccines are believed to be very familiar to everyone, whether it is already vaccinated or not yet vaccinated female friends, there may be a question in the heart:
How long is the validity period of the HPV vaccine? Is it lifelong immunity? Or do you need to be vaccinated again every few years? Or do you need to check the antibody level before making a decision?
Many of our female readers are also mothers, and some mothers may have doubts:
Everyone knows that the recommended age for the nine-valent vaccine is 9 years old, so do I need to vaccinate my daughter as soon as she turns 9? Or should I wait a bit longer?
Today, let’s answer some related questions~
How does the HPV vaccine protect us?
Human Papillomavirus
（HPV）is a common sexually transmitted virus associated with various cancers, including cervical cancer. To prevent diseases caused by HPV infection, the HPV vaccine was developed.
The HPV vaccine is a protein shell made by scientists, identical to the HPV protein shell, which is actually a protein and does not contain the genetic material of the virus. Therefore, vaccination with the HPV vaccine will not cause HPV infection.
The vaccine
stimulates the immune system of the vaccinee to produce antibodies, thereby preventing HPV infection. When the vaccinee is vaccinated with the HPV vaccine, their immune system will recognize the HPV protein in the vaccine and produce antibodies to fight these viruses. In this way, if the vaccinee is exposed to the HPV virus in the future, their immune system will be able to quickly identify and destroy these viruses, thereby preventing infection.
There are three main types of HPV vaccines currently used in the market:
Mainly a vaccine againsthigh-risk HPV types 16 and 18(prevent cervical cancer and other malignant tumors);
4-valent vaccine:
Mainly a vaccine againsthigh-risk HPV types 16 and 18(prevent cervical cancer and other malignant tumors), as well aslow-risk HPV types 6 and 11(vaccine for genital warts, also known as condyloma acuminatum);
9-valent vaccine:
Mainly a vaccine againsthigh-risk HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58, and low-risk HPV types 6 and 11.
Do we need to check the antibody level after vaccination?
Generally, it is not necessary to check the antibody level after HPV vaccination.
Reasons are:
Domestic and international studies show that most vaccinees will have a significant increase in antibody levels after completing the vaccination program, with seroconversion rates of 2-valent, 4-valent, and 9-valent HPV vaccine-related types
(96%~100%), indicating that
the vaccine has produced the expected immune response in the vaccinees. Therefore, most doctors will not recommend antibody level testing for vaccinees.
In the vaccine research process, it has been observed that female subjects still have a preventive effect against HPV-related tumors 10 years after vaccination. This means that the immune protection of the HPV vaccine may last for at least more than 10 years, or even longer. Therefore, there is no need to determine whether a booster vaccine is needed through antibody testing.
So, is it necessary to test serum antibody levels or booster vaccines after 10 years?
Since the specific protective period of the HPV vaccine is still under research,
there is currently no clear evidence that the HPV vaccine needs to be re-vaccinated every 10 years. However, as time goes on, scientists will continue to monitor and study the duration of immunity of the HPV vaccine to determine whether a booster or increased dose is needed.
even if the vaccinee’s antibody level is high, it cannot completely rule out the risk of infection, and regular cervical cancer screening is still needed.
Who needs antibody testing?
Although, the vast majority of people do not need to test serum antibody levels after vaccination, there are
exceptions:
For example, for some special groups of people,
such as individuals with impaired immune system function, including those with HIV infection, autoimmune disease patients(such as autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, etc.), diabetes, organ/bone marrow transplant patients taking long-term immunosuppressive drugs, these people may need additional protective measures because their immune systems may not be able to produce enough antibodies to fight the virus. Doctors may recommend antibody level testing.
Do we need to vaccinate as soon as we turn 9 years old?
Or is it recommended to wait a bit longer?
The vaccine induces
higher antibody titers in younger individuals than in older individuals.
WHO and most countries recommend
starting HPV vaccination at the age of 9; the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in the United States recommends routine vaccination at the age of
11~12 years old, but it can also start at the age of
9 years old.
Different countries may determine the recommended age for HPV vaccination based on local epidemiological data, vaccination policies, and medical research results. Although 9 years old is the recommended age for the 9-valent HPV vaccine, some countries may choose to delay the age of vaccination, such as 11~12 years old. This may be because children in this age group are more likely to accept vaccination, or based on local epidemiological characteristics and vaccination program considerations.
Whether it is 9 years old or 11~12 years old, the purpose of HPV vaccination is to prevent HPV infection and related diseases.
The earlier the vaccination, the fewer opportunities for HPV exposure, the higher the antibody levels induced after vaccination, and thus the better the prevention effect and the stronger the protection. Therefore, if
eligible for vaccination, it is more recommended to vaccinate with the 9-valent HPV vaccine as soon as possible.
Summary
most cases,
it is not necessary to check the antibody level after HPV vaccination.
2. For
certain special groups, such as individuals with impaired immune system function,
consideration can be given to testing neutralizing antibodies in the serum to understand the immune status of the body.
3. The
protection of the vaccine is not 100%, even after HPV vaccination, vaccinees still need to undergo
cervical cancer screening on time to ensure early detection and treatment of any possible HPV infection or related diseases.
4.
If eligible for vaccination, vaccinate as soon as possible, which is a more recommended approach.
Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Zhuozheng
Ph.D. from Southern Medical University
