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The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
Vaccine schedule
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Eighth Grade
About the Disease
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 100 types of viruses that are among the most common viruses in the world. Different types of HPV can cause cancer in women and men years after infection: the virus is considered the main risk factor for cervical cancer, which causes the deaths of dozens of women each year, most of them in their 30s and 40s. It also causes anal cancer and cancers of the mouth and throat in men and women, as well as vaginal and vulvar cancer in women and penile cancer in men.
In addition, these viruses can also cause warts on the genitals, skin, throat, and vocal cords.
Transmission
HPV is common and spreads easily through direct contact, particularly during sexual activity. There are usually no visible signs after infection, and people who are infected are unaware that they may transmit the virus to others.
Using a condom during sexual activity can help prevent infection with various sexually transmitted infections, but it does not provide complete protection against HPV because it does not cover the entire genital area and is usually put on after sexual contact has already begun.
The Vaccine
The vaccine (Gardasil-9) is part of the routine immunization schedule for infants and children. It protects against 9 types of HPV and is given to boys and girls from age 9 through age 26. In special cases, after consulting with the treating doctor, men and women ages 27–45 can also be vaccinated.
The vaccine is important for both boys and girls to prevent HPV infection. In girls, the vaccine reduces the risk of needing invasive cervical procedures in the future that could affect fertility. In boys, the vaccine greatly reduces the risk of oral and throat cancer, penile cancer, skin cancer of the genital area, anal cancer, lesions, and precancerous conditions.
Vaccination schedule: The vaccine is given in 8th grade in 2 doses, 6 months apart. In certain areas of the country, the first dose is given in 7th grade. The vaccine can be given together with other vaccines.
If HPV vaccination is started at age 15 or older, the vaccine is given in 3 doses: the first 2 doses are given 1–2 months apart, and the third dose is given 6 months after the first dose.
The vaccine is given at school age because it is important to be vaccinated before becoming sexually active and before exposure to the virus. In addition, the immune response is better at a younger age than when vaccinated at an older age. The later the vaccine is given, the less protection it provides.
There is no need to check for prior HPV infection before receiving the vaccine.
| Vaccine composition | How the vaccine is given |
| The virus shell, without the genetic material | By injection into the arm |
Important to Know
Important to Know
- The vaccine protects against future infection with 9 types of HPV associated with cancer, precancerous conditions, and warts. It does this by "training" the immune system to recognize proteins unique to the types included in the vaccine and respond to them in a targeted way.
- The vaccine does not treat or cure health problems, such as cancer or warts, caused by HPV infection that occurred before vaccination.
Vaccine Effectiveness
The vaccine helps prevent cancer and genital warts in men and women, and also prevents precancerous conditions: the Gardasil-9 vaccine, which was approved for use in Israel beginning in the 2019–2020 school year, may reduce the risk of cervical cancer by about 90%. In addition, it reduces the risk of vaginal cancer and penile cancer by more than 90%, and the risk of anal cancer by more than 70%. The vaccine also reduces the risk of genital warts by tens of percent.
Studies conducted to date show that the vaccine provides protection for at least 10–12 years. Research on the duration of protection is ongoing, so it is not yet known whether protection lasts a lifetime.
The vaccine worldwide: The HPV vaccine has been added to the routine immunization schedule in many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Japan, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, and Switzerland. Countries that have added HPV vaccination to their school immunization programs, such as the United States and Australia, have reported a reduction of more than 50% in precancerous lesions and genital warts. Australia, Sweden, and Norway are close to eliminating HPV in their countries.
Vaccine Safety
The vaccine contains only the outer shell of the virus, without its genetic material, so it is not possible to become infected with the virus from the vaccine. Studies have shown that HPV vaccines are safe and do not cause serious side effects. To date, hundreds of millions of doses of the HPV vaccine have been administered worldwide, and about one million vaccine doses have been administered in Israel, with no unusual illness associated with the vaccine identified.
When the HPV Vaccine Is Not Given
The HPV vaccine should not be given in the following cases:
- During pregnancy - studies show that receiving the vaccine during pregnancy does not harm the fetus. However, as a precaution and until more information is available, pregnant women are advised to wait until after pregnancy to receive HPV vaccine doses.
- If a severe reaction occurred after a previous dose of the vaccine.
- When there is a febrile illness - in this case, vaccination should be postponed until after recovery.
Possible Side Effects After Vaccination and How to Relieve Them
Side effects may occur after vaccination. Most are mild and go away on their own within a day or two.
Redness, pain, and swelling at the injection site: You can place a clean cloth soaked in lukewarm water on the area and avoid massaging or rubbing it.
- Fever: It may occur from the day of vaccination up to 15 days afterward. You can give medication to reduce fever and relieve pain.
- Headache, dizziness, or fainting: You can give medication to relieve pain and make sure to rest.
- Muscle or joint pain: You can give medication to relieve pain.
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting: It is important to drink plenty of fluids and rest.
- General feeling of being unwell or weakness: It is recommended to rest.
Possible Side Effects After Vaccination and How to Relieve Them
Side effects may occur after vaccination. Most are mild and go away on their own within a day or two.
Common Side Effect
Redness, pain, and swelling at the injection site: You can place a clean cloth soaked in lukewarm water on the area and avoid massaging or rubbing it.
Rare Side Effects
- Fever: It may occur from the day of vaccination up to 15 days afterward. You can give medication to reduce fever and relieve pain.
- Headache, dizziness, or fainting: You can give medication to relieve pain and make sure to rest.
- Muscle or joint pain: You can give medication to relieve pain.
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting: It is important to drink plenty of fluids and rest.
- General feeling of being unwell or weakness: It is recommended to rest.
When to Contact Your HMO or a Medical Center After Vaccination
- If your child seems apathetic.
- If your child has a fever that does not go away after 24–48 hours.
- If there are changes in appetite or eating patterns that do not go away after 24–48 hours.
- If seizures occur, they are usually related to a rise in body temperature, but it is important to seek medical attention.
- If any other symptom causes you concern or worry.
If your child experienced any side effects after receiving the vaccine at school - please report them to the school nurse or the school health provider.
List of health providers by region
Completing the Vaccination
The Ministry of Health recommends that boys and girls who were not vaccinated against HPV at school complete the vaccination. Completing the vaccination through age 26 (inclusive) is free of charge:
- Through 9th grade (inclusive): The vaccination will be completed through school health services.
- From 10th grade through age 18: At Health Bureaus.
- From age 18 through 26: At HMOs, Health Bureaus, or in the IDF (upon enlistment).
Vaccination after age 26 requires payment. Some supplemental health insurance plans subsidize HPV vaccination for people who are not eligible for free vaccination. We recommend checking the available options with your HMO.
How and where to complete routine vaccinations
More Information About the Vaccine
If you have questions about the vaccine, you can contact your family doctor, the school nurse, or the Kol Habriut nurses hotline at *5400.
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine (Hebrew)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CgxQqW1kes&t=38s