HPV: Not a single case of cancer after early vaccination
Human papilloma viruses (HPV) are transmitted through sexual intercourse. Some types cause genital warts to grow on the sexual organs, others can cause cervical cancer later in life – but also penile, rectal and throat cancer. Scotland was one of the first countries to set up a vaccination program against HPV in 2007.
No case of cancer within 18 years
If possible, the vaccination should take place before the first sexual intercourse between the ages of 9 and 14 and protect teenagers from infection. Since subsequent cancers only appear in adulthood, it is only now possible to better estimate how well the vaccination actually protects.
After an observation period of 18 years, the data shows: Of the participants who were born between January 1988 and June 5, 1996 and were vaccinated before their 14th birthday, not a single one has developed cervical cancer. This even applied to girls who had only received one dose of vaccine.
But the girls who only received the vaccination when they were 14 to 22 also benefited. So far, 3.2 out of 100,000 have developed cervical cancer; in the unvaccinated group it was 8.4 out of 100,000. In the girls who were vaccinated later, protection increased with each additional vaccination dose.
The young participants were examined at the age of 20 – which is usually too early for cervical cancer to develop. But even back then, the research team at the time found that vaccinated people were less likely to suffer from tumour precursors (intraepithelial neoplasia).
Even vaccination does not offer guaranteed protection
However, neither the current study nor the previous study means that even girls who were vaccinated at a young age are completely safe.
On the one hand, the vaccination does not protect against all of the more than 100 HPV types, but only against the most important ones. For this reason, the first approved vaccination initially only vaccinated against types 16 and 18. They are responsible for around 75 percent of all cases of cervical cancer.
There is now a vaccine that protects against the nine main HPV types. But the vaccinations do not offer 100 percent protection against these either: As with all vaccinations, infection is still possible.
In addition, the girls who were vaccinated at the age of 12 or 13 in 2007 are now only 29 or 30 years old. However, on average, women do not develop cervical cancer until they are 34 years old. It would therefore not be surprising that cases would be added later.
Other dangerous HP viruses not enforced after the vaccination campaigns
However, concerns that other HPV types could become established as a result of the vaccinations and then cause cancer have not been confirmed.
More good news: As with other vaccinations, the vaccine also protects those who do not get vaccinated to a certain extent: Since vaccination has been carried out on a large scale in Scotland, fewer precursors of this cancer have been found in unvaccinated women. This protection should also apply to young men, even if there is a lack of data.
Today, experts recommend that all girls and boys aged nine and over receive the HPV vaccination. Doctors hope that thanks to herd protection, the cancer-causing viruses can be easily suppressed in the future.
All important information about vaccination can be found in the HPV vaccination article.
Available with HanseMerkur’s GlobalCare insurance plans
HanseMerkur in one of only a few insurers to offer HPV vaccines in its GlobalCare product insurance products which are sold in the UAE in both DHA and DOH compliant formats. Choosing to enhance the cover to also cover these vaccinations, reduces financial barriers (vaccinating a child currently costs around AED 1,700 in the UAE) and promotes preventive and potentially lifesaving care, aligning with global healthcare trends.