HPV Vaccine FAQ

1. Dose HPV vaccine provide long-term protection?
2. Can HPV vaccine affect fertility?
3. Can HPV vaccine cause HPV infection?
4. Can 9vHPV vaccine be administered to individuals who have received another HPV vaccine?
5. Who are not suitable for 9vHPV vaccination?
6. Can pregnant women be vaccinated?
7. Can I get vaccinated while breastfeeding?
8. Is HPV vaccination still effective to individuals having been diagnosed with HPV-related diseases (i.e., abnormal Pap smear result or genital warts)?
9. Will a 2-dose HPV vaccination schedule provide weaker protection?
10. Can men get HPV vaccination?
11. Do I need to be vaccinated against HPV if I don't have a partner?
12. If I only have one sexual partner, do I not need to be vaccinated?
13. Does HPV vaccine have side effects?

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1. Dose HPV vaccine provide long-term protection?
Studies showed that HPV vaccine provided sustained immunogenicity and durable effectiveness. The need for a booster dose has not been established.

2. Can HPV vaccine affect fertility?
According to WHO, there is no current evidence to suggest a causal relationship between HPV vaccination and infertility.

3. Can HPV vaccine cause HPV infection?
HPV vaccine cannot cause HPV infection. The vaccine is prepared from highly purified virus-like particles, which cannot infect cells, reproduce, or cause disease.

4. Can 9vHPV vaccine be administered to individuals who have received another HPV vaccine?
Individuals previously vaccinated with 3 doses of 4vHPV vaccine may also receive 3 doses of 9vHPV. 9vHPV provides better protection by covering 5 more HPV types compared to 4vHPV vaccine.

5. Who are not suitable for 9vHPV vaccination?
Individuals who are hypersensitive to any active substances of 9vHPV vaccine or who showed hypersensitivity after previous administration of HPV vaccine were not suitable to take 9vHPV vaccine.

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6. Can pregnant women be vaccinated?
HPV vaccine should not be administered during pregnancy. However, HPV infection may be transmitted from mother to child. Women can seek for medical advice to receive vaccination before pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs after starting the vaccination, the schedule should be postponed.

7. Can I get vaccinated while breastfeeding?
HPV vaccine can be administered during breastfeeding.

8. Is HPV vaccination still effective to individuals having been diagnosed with HPV-related diseases (i.e., abnormal Pap smear result or genital warts)?
Individuals are unlikely to be exposed to all of the HPV types contained in the vaccine, so receiving HPV vaccination can still help to prevent those unexposed HPV types.

9. Will a 2-dose HPV vaccination schedule provide weaker protection?
Non-inferior immune response was shown in girls and boys receiving 2-dose regimen versus young women receiving a 3-dose regimen.

10. Can men get HPV vaccination?
Yes. Most men who are infected with HPV never have symptoms. There is currently no approved test for HPV infection in men. HPV vaccination is the effective method to help protect men against genital warts and certain cancers caused bt HPV.

11. Do I need to be vaccinated against HPV if I don't have a partner?
Getting vaccinated early can help reducing the chance of getting HPV. Since HPV virus is mainly transmitted through sexual contact, vaccination before sexual contact can provide stronger protection. The 9 to 14-year-old vaccination can produce a stronger immune response, so it should be prepared in advance.

12. If I only have one sexual partner, do I not need to be vaccinated?
Even if there is only one sexual partner, there is still a 60% risk of infection, and the use of condoms still cannot completely prevent infection. If you are unfortunately infected with HPV, it is more likely to affect future fertility and even the next generation.

13. Does HPV vaccine have side effects?
HPV vaccines are generally safe in Hong Kong. The common side effects are similar to those of other vaccinations, except soreness, redness, swelling and pain at the injection site, or mild and short-lasting side effects, including headache, dizziness, nausea and fatigue.

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Important Safety Information
Anyone who is allergic to the ingredients of GARDASIL 9 or GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant], including those severely allergic to yeast, should not receive the vaccine. GARDASIL 9 was not studied in women who knew they were pregnant.

The side effects include pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, bleeding, and a lump where you got the shot, headache, fever, nausea, and dizziness. Fainting can happen after getting GARDASIL 9. Sometimes people who faint can fall and hurt themselves. For this reason, your health care professional may ask you or your child to sit or lie down for 15 minutes after you or your child get GARDASIL 9. Some people who faint might shake or become stiff.

Please consult your doctor the full prescribing information.

References:
www.hpv.com.hk (Merck Sharp & Dohme (Asia) Ltd.)
The above information is for reference only.

least updated : 11 Aug 2023