PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CERVICAL CANCER
with The new vaccine against
the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

The HPV vaccine is now available at the Cavendish Clinic. It represents a vitally important medical advance: it is the first vaccine able to protect against a major cause of cancer in women.

You will need to book an appointment with our Nurse Practitioner or one of our Doctors who will be able to offer you information and advice. Subsequent doses will normally be given by one of our nurses, without a consultation. You do not need to have a smear before you have the vaccine.

WHAT IS HPV?

HPV is a common virus that is passed on via genital contact. There are more than 100 HPV types that infect genital areas. Sometimes they cause no harm and any infection goes away on its own. However, sometimes the virus persists and causes cells to change - this can lead to:

• Cervical cancer
• Pre cancerous lesions
• Genital warts

WHAT DOES THE VACCINE DO?

The vaccine protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18. These four types of HPV cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.

The vaccine will not protect against diseases that are not caused by HPV (i.e. other cancers and other sexually transmitted diseases).

The vaccine may not protect against HPV types to which you have already been exposed. Unfortunately there is no test available, as yet, to check which type you have/haven't got.

WHO SHOULD GET VACCINATED?

The vaccine is licensed for girls and women from 9 to 26 years of age. The vaccine is safe and effective in this age group. Ideally, females should get the vaccine before they become sexually active, i.e. before they can be exposed to HPV.

Females who are sexually active can also benefit as they might not yet have acquired all four HPV types - so they may get some protection from the vaccine.

Males up to age 16

Most people are not infected with all four HPV types.

WHO SHOULD NOT RECEIVE THE VACCINE?

• People allergic to vaccine ingredients (inform the nurse of any allergies)
• Pregnant women
• People with a weakened immune system (e.g. those with HIV)
• People with a bleeding disorder
• People taking certain medicines (please ask for advice at time of vaccination)

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

The vaccine is usually well tolerated. However, the most likely side effects include - pain, itching, swelling at the injection site, fever, nausea, and dizziness.

HOW IS THE VACCINE GIVEN?

It is a course of 3 injections in total, at the following minimum intervals:

1. Initial dose
2. Second dose: 1 month later
3. Third dose: 6 months

All to be given within a 1 year period.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS

The length of vaccine protection is not known yet. To date, research shows that it protects for at least 5 years. It is possible that a booster may be needed at some point in the future, to maintain protection.

Girls and women who have been vaccinated will still need regular cervical cancer screening - this is because the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER WAYS TO PREVENT HPV?

The only sure way to prevent HPV is to abstain from sexual activity.

Sexually active adults can reduce their risk by limiting their number of sex partners and using condoms. Even people with only one partner can get HPV if their partner has been exposed to a previous partner with HPV

COST

£135 per injection

Or

£395 for the course*

This is why the vaccine represents such an important medical advance.

*if paid for as a course at the time of the 1st injection

Arrange your no obligation consultation with one of our medical team today.

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