This page explains more about the disease and the associated vaccine.
The diseases
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There are about 100 strains of the virus.
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The most important disease caused by HPV is cancer of the cervix.
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HPV infection is necessary before any woman can develop cervical cancer.
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About 70 per cent of cervical cancers are caused by only two types of HPV – types 16 and 18.
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HPV is also involved in other cancers of the genital tract in men and women.
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It causes some forms of warts, especially those of the genital area.
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Of genital warts, over 90 per cent are caused by two types of HPV – 6 and 11.
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The virus rarely causes laryngeal papillomatosis (polyps in the voice box).
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The viruses causing problems in the genital area are usually spread by sexual intercourse.
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Each year there are about 1,100 deaths due to cervical cancer, in spite of the very effective screening programme (smear test).
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In 2010, there were over 75,000 new cases of genital warts.
The vaccine
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Two vaccines have been produced; one with two strains of the virus (16 and 18 - Cervarix) and the other with four (6, 11, 16 and 18 - Gardasil).
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Both are non-living vaccines.
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Three doses of vaccine are needed over six months.
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Both vaccines are likely to prevent 70 per cent of cervical cancers.
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The vaccine containing four types also prevents 90 per cent of warts of the genital area.
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The vaccines have been licensed in many countries around the world.
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One or both vaccines have been approved for use in the routine immunisation programme in the USA, Canada, Australia and many EU countries.
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For maximum benefit, the vaccine needs to be given before infection has occurred, ie before sex starts.
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The two-component vaccine (Cervarix) became part of the routine immunisation programme in autumn 2008. From then it was offered to all girls in Year 8 (12-13 years old).
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The vaccine is given mainly in school.
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From autumn 2008 to summer 2010, vaccination was offered to older girls, so that by summer 2010, it will have been offered to all girls in school in 2008/9.
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In the school year 2009/10, 76 per cent of girls aged 12-13 years received all three doses of the vaccine.
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Use in older females may be considered.
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At present, the vaccine is not recommended for boys.
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The vaccine containing two strains (Cervarix) is the one used in the routine programme in the UK at present (January 2011).
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From September 2012, the HPV vaccine in standard use in the UK will cease to be Cervarix and change to Gardasil (the four component vaccine). However, girls who have started a course with one vaccine should complete it with the same vaccine.
