HPV vaccination package (2 doses of vaccine)

Vaccination against HPV protects against contracting this virus and developing cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers in women. An important factor in its development is infection with HPV (Human Papillomavirus), as well as e.g. smoking, an unhealthy lifestyle and many natural births. There are more than 100 types of HPV - some of which can cause benign lesions, such skin warts, while others lead to the development of malignant tumours. HPV vaccination protects against these conditions.

Why is it worth getting vaccinated

Infection with certain HPV types is one of the causes of, for instance, cervical cancer, genital warts (condyloma) and laryngeal cancer.

Just a few HPV subtypes are responsible for almost 100 per cent of cervical cancer cases. These are primarily types: 16 and 18, as well as 31, 33, 45 - i.e. viruses with a high oncogenic (cancer development) risk.

The non-oncogenic (non-cancerous) types, of which 6 and 11 are the most common, cause condyloma formation on the genitals. HPV infections can also lead to cancer of the anus, oropharyngeal space, vagina, vulva, penis.

Only a small proportion of people are aware that they are HPV carriers. It is important to remember that both men and women can be infected with this virus. As HPV infection can be asymptomatic, carriers of the virus can infect their sexual partners.

HPV infection occurs through sexual contact with a person who carries the virus, most often in the initial period after the onset of sexual activity. This is why it is important to have the vaccination before sexual initiation takes place.

It is thought that, over the course of a lifetime, approximately 50-80% of sexually active women and men have been or will be infected with this virus.

Cervical cancer is a cancer that, thanks to available preventive measures (vaccination against oncogenic HPV strains and cytological screening), can be avoided or detected at an early stage when it is completely treatable.

HPV vaccination ensures that immunity is built up and HPV infection does not occur. As a result, the risk of cervical cancer is significantly reduced.

Vaccination against HPV is recommended by the Minister of Health in the Polish Programme of Protective Vaccination. Universal HPV vaccination is also recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) and international and national scientific societies (paediatric, gynaecological and oncological).

HPV vaccine

The nine-valent vaccine protects against up to nine HPV types: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 (seven of which are responsible for almost 90 per cent of all cases of cervical cancer). It helps prevent genital warts (also known as condyloma) and cancers and precancerous lesions of the vulva, vagina, cervix and rectum caused by specific types of HPV.

Vaccine:

• is intended for children over 9 years of age and adults,
• administered at a young age, protects against HPV for up to 50 years,
• administered up to the age of 14 years results in full immunization after only 2 doses, while 3 doses are needed for full immunization in persons over 15 years of age.

Vaccination schedule

The vaccination schedule depends on the age of the vaccinated person. The recommended vaccine schedule for children aged 9 to 14 years inclusive is a 2-dose schedule for the 9-valent vaccine:

• the second dose should be given between 5 and 13 months after the first dose; Important! If the second dose of the vaccine is given earlier, a third dose should always be given.

The package includes:

• 2 doses of HPV vaccine,
• 2-fold administration of the vaccine.

Patients who do not have care at Medicover pay extra for vaccination eligibility visits each time before the next dose is administered.

1. First select the city and Medical Centre where you wish to have the vaccination.
   NOTE: The package does not include qualifying visits for the vaccination. Patients who do not have it guaranteed in their care plan purchase the qualification separately.
2. Once you have paid for your vaccination package, arrange a vaccination eligibility visits. This is necessary before any vaccination is administered. The vaccination takes place immediately after the qualifying visit.
   You can purchase and arrange a visit at the reception of a Medicover Centre or by telephone by calling the helpline: +48 500 900 505.
3. If the doctor does not qualify you for vaccination, you have to make another qualifying appointment on the date indicated by the doctor. Another such appointment is charged extra (unless you have it in the care package in your current subscription).

What is worth knowing about vaccination

The vaccination schedule depends on the age of the person vaccinated and the doctor's recommendations. In children from 9 to 14 years of age inclusive, the 9-valent vaccine can be administered according to:

• 2-dose regimen: the second dose should be given between 5 and 13 months after the first dose; Important! If the second dose of the vaccine is given earlier, a third dose should always be added to the plan.
• 3-dose regimen: the second dose should be given at least 1 month after the first dose and the third dose should be given at least 3 months after the second dose. All 3 doses should be given within 1 year.

The recommended vaccine schedule for children aged 9 to 14 years inclusive is a 2-dose schedule. The vaccination schedule is decided by the doctor qualifying for vaccination.

In adults and adolescents over 15 years of age, a 3-dose regimen applies: the second dose should be given at least one month after the first dose, and the third dose should be given at least 3 months after the second dose. All 3 doses should be given within 1 year.

The entire vaccination cycle should be carried out with the same preparation. If a 2-valent or 4valent preparation is not available, the vaccination cycle can be completed with a 9-valent preparation. If subsequent doses are administered later than recommended, the vaccination cycle should be completed as soon as possible. It is not necessary to start the entire vaccination cycle from the beginning or to repeat doses.

Administration of the vaccine

Vaccination requires no special preparation. The vaccine is administered intramuscularly into the shoulder muscle area or the upper anterolateral thigh. The HPV vaccine can be given together with other vaccinations if decided by the doctor at the  appointment

Contraindications to the administration of the vaccine are:

• hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients,
• hypersensitivity symptoms following a previous dose of the vaccine,
• age under 9 years.

If the person to be vaccinated has an acute, severe febrile illness, vaccination must be postponed. A mild infection, e.g. a minor upper respiratory tract infection, a cold or a slight fever are not contraindications to vaccination

NOTE: Vaccination is not a substitute for regular cervical cytological examinations or the use of preventive measures against exposure to HPV infection and sexually transmitted diseases.