Cervarix and Gardasil HPV vaccines

The article was consulted with Specialist Doctor I Tran Thanh Phuoc - Pediatrician - Pediatric Center - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

The vaccines that are licensed for use in Vietnam are Gardasil (USA) and Cervarix (Belgium). Each vaccine will have a different number of HPV strains that can be prevented, who are vaccinated, the schedule of injections as well as the preventive effect.

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) - the main cause of cervical cancer, is a human tumor virus, transmitted through contact, sexual intercourse, from mother to child and can exist in the body. for a long time before developing the disease.
There are more than 140 types of Papillomavirus (HPV) detected in humans. About 40 types can infect the genital areas such as the vulva, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis and scrotum, as well as the mouth and throat. These types of HPV are spread during sexual intercourse.
-Two types of HPV (types 6 and 11) cause most cases of genital warts in women and men.
-More than 10 strains of HPV can lead to cancer, of which 2 specific strains (types 16 and 18) lead to the majority of cancers. This is called high-risk HPV. Cervical cancer is most commonly associated with HPV, but HPV can also cause cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, mouth, and pharynx. HPV types 16 and 18 are also the two main types that cause cervical cancer and are also the cause of cancers such as: vulvar cancer (50%), vaginal cancer (65%), cancer oropharynx (70%).
This disease currently has no specific treatment, so the only way to reduce the incidence of this disease is to get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is considered safe and can be highly effective in protecting women from diseases related to HPV types 16 and 18, the two main types that cause cervical cancer.
In Vietnam, the HPV vaccine is indicated for women between the ages of 9 and 26, including those who have had sex. The vaccine is effective for up to 30 years, and the earlier it is given, the better.

There are currently 2 HPV vaccines used in Vietnam: Gardasil of the US and Cervarix of Belgium. These two types of HPV vaccines have some fundamental differences in terms of the number of HPV strains that can be prevented, the subjects to be vaccinated, the schedule of injections, and the effectiveness of prevention. Specifically:
About the number of HPV strains to prevent
Gardasil vaccine: Prevents 4 types of HPV: HPV 6, HPV 11, HPV 16 and HPV 18; Cervarix vaccine: Prevents 2 types of HPV, HPV 16 and HPV 18. About vaccination subjects
Gardasil vaccine: Injected for women from 9 years old to 26 years old; Cervarix vaccine: Given to women 10 to 25 years of age. About the injection schedule
Gardasil vaccine: Includes 3 doses: 1st dose: 1st injection day; Nose 2: 2 months after the first injection; 3rd dose: 6 months after the first injection. -Alternative regimen when the standard regimen cannot be used: 0-1-4 or 0-3-6, 06-12 months
Cervarix vaccine: Includes 3 doses): 1st dose: 1st injection day; 2nd dose: 1 month after the first injection; 3rd dose: 6 months after the first injection. If it is necessary to change the vaccination schedule, the second dose can be given 1 to 2.5 months after the first dose and the third dose 5 to 12 months after the first dose.
About the preventive effect
Gardasil vaccine: in addition to preventing cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer in women and anal cancer in men. This vaccine is also effective against genital warts and genital warts in both men and women. Cervarix vaccine: Prevention of cervical cancer. Cancer of the vulva and vagina in women. Does HPV vaccination require testing? The HPV vaccine does not require pre-vaccination testing. Women between the ages of 9 and 26, not pregnant, not allergic to any component of the vaccine, not being treated for acute diseases, etc. are eligible for this vaccine.
Can I get vaccinated against HPV infection? The cervical cancer vaccine is still effective when given to people who have had sex, even if they have been infected with the HPV virus. Because in fact, the HPV virus is very easy to re-infect, that is, after the body eliminates the virus, it is still possible to infect them again. The body's natural immunity is not enough to prevent reinfection, but vaccines can.
Besides, there are many different types of HPV. Even if you have been infected with one type of HPV in the past, you should still get vaccinated to protect against infection with other types of HPV.
How long does it take to get pregnant with cervical cancer vaccination? When planning to start a family, women need to take the initiative to get vaccinated against cervical cancer early. If you become pregnant while receiving the vaccine, you will postpone the vaccination schedule and complete the vaccination schedule to continue after giving birth.

Many people can get the vaccine without any serious side effects. However, you may experience mild to moderate side effects after vaccination such as:
Injection site reaction, red halo, pain or swelling; Mild fever; Hives; Headache; Tired; Muscle pain; Athritis; Nausea and vomiting; Gastrointestinal disorders: abdominal pain, diarrhea; Hypersensitivity... If you are experiencing any unusual symptoms or if symptoms persist, you should consult your doctor.

At Vinmec International General Hospital, vaccination service is provided for all subjects. Highlights when choosing to vaccinate at Vinmec:
Customers are first screened by a team of experienced specialists, advised to use the right vaccine regimen, at the right age as recommended by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, ensuring maximum safety and highest effectiveness when vaccinating; Using high-quality vaccines, the stages of importation, transportation and preservation all meet international standards; Having a team of professional and experienced medical doctors, effectively applying pain relief measures before and after injection; 100% of customers were monitored for 30 minutes after the injection and their health was reassessed before leaving; There is a well-trained emergency team, a post-injection monitoring room equipped with many modern equipment, ready to handle cases of anaphylaxis, respiratory failure, circulatory arrest, ... occurring after injection; Vaccination room is clean and airy, has a play area for children, creating a comfortable feeling for children when immunizing; Vaccines are imported and stored in a modern cold storage system, with a cold chain that meets GSP standards, keeping vaccines in the best conditions to ensure quality.