HPV vaccines: a controversial issue?

Abstract

Controversy still exists over whether the benefits of the available HPV vaccines outweigh the risks and this has suppressed uptake of the HPV vaccines in comparison to other vaccines. Concerns about HPV vaccine safety have led some physicians, healthcare officials and parents to withhold the recommended vaccination from the target population. The most common reason for not administering the prophylactic HPV vaccines are concerns over adverse effects. The aim of this review is the assessment of peer-reviewed scientific data related to measurable outcomes from the use of HPV vaccines throughout the world with focused attention on the potential adverse effects. We found that the majority of studies continue to suggest a positive risk-benefit from vaccination against HPV, with minimal documented adverse effects, which is consistent with other vaccines. However, much of the published scientific data regarding the safety of HPV vaccines appears to originate from within the financially competitive HPV vaccine market. We advocate a more independent monitoring system for vaccine immunogenicity and adverse effects to address potential conflicts of interest with regular systematic literature reviews by qualified individuals to vigilantly assess and communicate adverse effects associated with HPV vaccination. Finally, our evaluation suggests that an expanded use of HPV vaccine into more diverse populations, particularly those living in low-resource settings, would provide numerous health and social benefits.

Characteristics of high-risk human papillomavirus infection in women with abnormal cervical cytology: a population-based study in Shanxi Province, China

“…Among the numerous members of the HPV family, 15 HR-HPV genotypes (types 16,18,31,33,35,39,45,51,52,53,56,58,59, 66 and 68) are etiologically associated with more than 98% of cervical cancers. Effective prophylactic vaccines against the most important carcinogenic HPV types are available, but they do not cover main types of HPV in different countries and regions [7]. Moreover, the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV substantially vary with ethnicities, demographic and behavioral characteristics, as well as health status [8][9][10].…”

Post Marketing Surveillance Study of 2nd Dose Quadrivalent Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine in Elementary School Children in Jakarta, Indonesia: Safety Result and Implementation of School-Based HPV Immunization Program

“…The administration of HPV vaccines has been suggested to provide health as well as social benefits, especially in those living in low-resource settings (Nicol et al, 2016). Public HPV vaccination program has been accordingly implemented in numerous developing countries.…”

Anogenital HPV

“…Up to now, it has been shown that the duration of vaccines may last 5-9 years. But more studies are needed about these important issues [35,38]. The development of HPV vaccine is a milestone in the prevention of HPV-related infections and probably in the prevention of cervical cancer.…”