Q: Before getting the cervical cancer vaccine, do I need to be tested for HPV first?
A: For girls aged 9 years and older up to adults, if they have never had sexual intercourse, the chance of contracting the HPV virus is very low. Therefore, it is not necessary to be tested before deciding to get the vaccine. For women who have had sexual intercourse, the current method of HPV testing called “HPV DNA” at general hospitals can only indicate whether you are infected with a high-risk HPV strain that may affect the development of cervical cancer, but it cannot specify which strain. However, testing to identify the specific HPV strain can be done, but it is quite complicated and expensive (in Thailand, hospitals offering this service are still quite limited). The decision to get tested or vaccinated depends on personal discretion or consulting a doctor for advice and additional information about vaccines that cover protection against 4 HPV strains, which can provide benefits in preventing virus types that cause cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, as well as genital warts.
Q: If I already have cervical cancer, will I still benefit from getting the vaccine?
A: The HPV vaccine is developed to prevent cervical cancer caused by HPV infection, so it does not have any effect in treating patients who already have the disease. However, receiving the vaccine may still provide benefits in preventing other cancers such as vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer, and HPV-related infections like genital warts.
Q: How many doses of the cervical cancer vaccine are required and how long does the protection last?
A: You need to receive a total of 3 doses within 6 months. The first dose is given, followed by the second dose in the 2nd month, and the final dose in the 6th month. Studies have confirmed that immunity from the vaccine lasts for at least about 5 years. Currently, ongoing studies are examining whether the immunity may last up to 10 years or longer.
Q: What side effects can occur from the cervical cancer vaccine?
A: Side effects are very rare. Most are similar to those from other vaccines, such as slight swelling and redness at the injection site only.
Q: I am over 26 years old. Will the vaccine still be effective in prevention?
A: The decision to get vaccinated depends on personal judgment regarding the cost-effectiveness of reducing disease risk through vaccination. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval for the 4-strain cervical cancer vaccine, it is effective in girls and women aged 9–26 years, showing 100% efficacy in preventing cervical cancer caused by the main HPV strains 16 and 18 in those who have never been infected with these strains. Generally, HPV infections occur one strain at a time, not all strains simultaneously. The vaccine may also provide benefits in preventing some HPV-related infections such as genital warts. However, research on vaccine efficacy is ongoing and has been extended to include women aged 27–45 years.
