Vaccination

Human Papillomavirus

Travel itself doesn´t increase the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV occurs throughout the world and is transmitted by direct contact with an infected person, usually sexual (condoms may not offer adequate protection). Risk factors for HPV infection are related to sexual behaviour, including the number and lifetime history of sex partners, and partner's sexual history.

The vaccine is primarily intended for girls and young women. Travellers should contact the national health services to check for the availability of HPV vaccine and its recommendations in their country. Vaccination series can start as young as 9 years of age. Since the availability of vaccine is quite recent, catch-up vaccination is recommended for females 13-26 years of age. The best practice is the vaccination of all women, including older children and teenagers, before potential exposure to HPV through sexual contact; however, all sexually active women will benefit from vaccination (less benefit for those already infected).

There are two types of recombinant HPV vaccine, both safe and efficacious (but quite expensive!). The bivalent vaccine (genotypes 16 and 18) should be administered intramuscularly, with three doses given at 0-1-6 months. The tetravalent vaccine (genotypes 6, 11, 16 and 18) should be administered intramuscularly, with three doses given at 0-2-6 months.

Fernando Costa Silva, 2007 (last update: 2009)