Q. What are the vaccines for cervical cancer?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Cervical cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in women worldwide, and the World Health Organization estimates that annually, around 570,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Thankfully, getting immunized against this potentially life-threatening form of cancer can be done through vaccinations for Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Currently there are two types of HPV vaccines available: Cervarix and Gardasil. Both vaccines provide protection against 2 subtypes of HPV which cause 70% or more cases of cervical cancer. Additional vaccines such as Gardasil 9 offer expanded protection against additional subtypes which may reduce your risk further. It is worth noting that these vaccines do not prevent all types of cervical cancers or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) so it is still important to practice safe sex and receive regular checkups from a healthcare provider even after you have received your vaccination.
For best results, it is recommended that girls ages 11-12 should get vaccinated with either Cervarix or Gardasil shots over the course of 6 months. The CDC recommends two doses for those who start the series before their 15th birthday and three doses for those who begin at age 15 years or older; it's important to finish all doses as recommended by your doctor in order to get full vaccine benefits and ensure long-term protection from cervical cancer caused by HPV infection. Additionally, boys aged 11-12 should also consider getting vaccinated with either Cervarix or Gardasil shots over a period of 6 months; while they may not develop cervical cancers themselves due to vaccination protection obtained by females making sexual contact with them less risky than others who haven’t been given the immunization series no matter their gender identity.. Due to its effectiveness in preventing pre-cancerous lesions associated with genital warts, many insurance plans cover both male and female patients receiving vaccinations along various age ranges up until 26 years old bringing cost relief often taken advantage off .
In conclusion, receiving vaccinations specifically designed for prevention against developing cervical cancers becomes increasingly important for young children aged 11 - 12 up through late teens/young adults aged 18 -26 helping reduce future risks associated within vulnerable population groups ensuring safer sexual health outcomes proven time after time again internationally defining why we continue vaccinating our children today .