Cervarix

Cervarix Vaccine is used in females, for the prevention of cervical cancer. It protects a woman from the infection caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18.

Cervarix Vaccine is best given as early as possible to adolescent girls between 11 and 12 years of age. It is also recommended for all females lying between 13 and 26 years of age who did not get the vaccine when they were younger. It can be given to females within the age of 9 to 45 years. However, the dose and schedule of vaccine will depend on the age of the person.

Yes, you can still get the vaccine even if you have had sexual intercourse. There are 100 types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Even if you already have one strain of HPV, you can still get benefit from the vaccine because it can protect you from other strains that you don't yet have.

No, you can just continue from where you left off. Usually a 3 dose schedule of Cervarix Vaccine is recommended. The second dose should be given 1 to 2 months after the first one, and the third one should be given after 6 months of the second one. However, if the last dose is delayed, the series does not need to be restarted and you may continue the treatment from where you left. Please let your doctor know and he/she will suggest when to give you the missed dose.

Yes, vaccinated women will still need regular cervical cancer screening because the vaccine protects against most but not all HPV types that can cause cervical cancer.

Cervarix Vaccine works extremely well. Clinical trials have shown that these types of vaccines provide close to 100% protection against cervical cancer and infection caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18.

Overall, the effects are usually mild. The most common side effects include soreness, swelling or redness at the injection site. Sometimes dizziness or fainting occurs after the injection, sitting for 15 minutes after the injection can reduce the risk of fainting. In addition, headaches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue or weakness may also occur.

If your partner has HPV infection (with or without symptoms), you can still be infected with HPV even if you always use condom. This is because a condom can not provide 100% protection from any sexually transmitted infection. Furthermore, HPV is mostly transmitted during sexual intercourse, but it can also be transmitted, due to oral sex or during genital to genital contact.