Awareness day highlights the importance of HPV vaccination

Expert guarantees that immunization is safe and protects against cancer

In Brazil, around 10 million people are infected with the human papillomavirus, known as HPV. It is estimated that 700,000 new cases of this infection appear in the country each year, which is transmitted through sexual intercourse.

HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer, in addition to being related to other types of cancer in men and women and the appearance of warts in the genital region and anus.

This March 4th, World HPV Awareness Day, experts highlight the importance of prevention and early detection of the infection to reduce damage related to the virus.

The vaccine is the main way to prevent HPV infection, highlights Luiz Augusto Maltoni, oncological surgeon and executive director of the Cancer Foundation.

“It is highly effective, especially for these types of HPV that are carcinogenic. And therefore, it is fundamental and extremely important that people get vaccinated. The vaccine is available in the SUS and can be administered at any health center. It is important that all young people, teenagers, between 9 and 14 years old are vaccinated. The importance of doing this in this age group is due to the fact that they are getting vaccinated before starting sexual activity and, therefore, are protected from HPV infection. Other than that, immunosuppressed people, those with HIV/AIDS, cancer patients, those undergoing transplants, have a wider age range for vaccination. In the case of men, up to 25, 26 years old. And in women up to 45 years old. So, it is an extremely safe vaccine and, in fact, protects against the HPV virus”, assures the doctor.

Vaccination coverage against HPV in Brazil is below the 90% target, as recommended by the World Health Organization. According to Maltoni, the main cause for the low immunization rate is lack of knowledge.

“Lack of knowledge is one of the main factors. People don’t know. A survey carried out by us, at the Foundation, indicates that people do not know that the vaccine protects against warts, against cervical cancer, these cancers related to HPV. And they are also unaware of the fact that the vaccine is extremely safe. Unfortunately, we have in our midst, and even in the world, some completely absurd anti-vaccine movements. Anti-science. Vaccines have saved millions and millions of people around the world”, he warns.

The HPV vaccine is available at health centers for girls and boys aged 9 to 14 and the immunization schedule is 2 doses.