Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Question 1

Do the human papillomavirus vaccines contain any viral DNA?

Answer 1

NO

They consist of virus-like particles prepared from the major protein of the viral coat or capsid and mimic the structure of the native virus

Question 2

What are the three human papillomavirus vaccines that are available?

Answer 2

1. Bilavent vaccine (Cervarix, containe HPV type 16 and 18)
2. Quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil, containing HPV type 6, 11, 16 and 18)
3. Nine-valent vaccine (Gardasil 9, containing HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58)

Question 3

Which human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is offered as part of the national HPV programme?

Answer 3

Gardasil (containing HPV type 6, 11, 16 and 18)

Recommended for eligible individuals aged 11 to 25 years, and for men who have sex with men aged up to and including 45 years of age

Question 4

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil (a quadrivalent vaccine), contains which types of HPV?

Answer 4

HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18

Gardasil is the vaccine offered as part of the national HPV programme

Question 5

Which strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause genital warts? (2)

Answer 5

HPV types 6 and 11

Question 6

Which strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause cervical cancer? (2)

Answer 6

HPV types 16 and 18

Question 7

Why do routine cervical screening and safe sex precautions need to continue despite being vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV)?

Answer 7

The vaccines do not protect against all strains of HPV

Question 8

At what age is the first dose of the human papillomavirus vaccine (Gardasil) offered to both girls and boys in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Answer 8

12-13 years*

Scotland: 11-13 years

• licensed for individuals from 9 years of age

Second dose 6-24 months after first dose

Question 9

In children aged 9 to 14 years, how many doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Gardasil) are given to be considered fully immunised?

Answer 9

2 doses

Second dose should be given 6-24 months after the first dose

Children and adults aged 15 to 25 years require 3 doses

Question 10

In children aged 15 to 25 years, how many doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Gardasil) are given to be considered fully immunised?

Answer 10

3 doses

Second dose given 1 month after first dose

Third dose given 4-6 months after the first dose

All doses must be given within a 12-month period

Question 11

Is the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Gardasil) offered to an individual aged under 25 years who has arrived in the UK from another country?

Answer 11

Yes

- they may not have been offered protection in their country of origin

Question 12

If an individual is aged 25 years and over has arrived in the UK from another country and commenced, but did not complete their vaccination for human papillomavirus (HPV), can they complete their vaccination in the UK?

Answer 12

Yes

But an individual aged 25 years and over is not offered the vaccine if they have not previously commenced the doses

Question 13

What age range are men who have sex with men offered the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Gardasil)?

Answer 13

15 to 45 years

3 doses are required

They need to attend Specialist Sexual Health Services or HIV clinics

Question 14

Are men who have sex with men aged between 15 and 45 years, offered the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine if they have a low CD4 cell count, are currently on antiretroviral therapy or immunocompromised?

Answer 14

Yes

Immunisation should still be offered to eligible men who have sex with men, regardless of CD4 cell count, antiretroviral therapy use, viral load, or if known to be immunocompromised at the time of immunisation.

Question 15

What other patient demographics are offered the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at the Sexual Health Services or HIV clinics because they are deemed to have a similar risk profile to men who have sex with men?

Answer 15

1. Transgender individuals
2. Sex workers
3. Men and women living with HIV infection

3 doses of Gardasil are recommended

Question 16

Are booster doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Gardasil) currently offered?

Answer 16

NO

Protection from human papillomavirus vaccines is maintained for at least 10 years, although protection is expected to last longer. There is no recommendation for the need for booster doses.