1 dose of cancer prevention HPV vaccine has the same impact as 2: study – National

New research suggests that using one dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is as effective at preventing cervical cancer as two or three doses.

A peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association (CMAJ) found Monday that a single dose of HPV vaccine could prevent a similar number of cervical cancers, HPV infections and other HPV-related cancers as a two-dose program among men and women in Canada.

This is if vaccine protection remains high during ages of maximum sexual activity, the study said.

The clinical data supporting this were strong for people aged nine to 20, said Dr. Chantal Sauvageau, co-author of the study and a public health physician at Quebec’s National Institute of Public Health.

“The research shows that a one-dose HPV vaccine schedule would have the same impact as two- or three-dose schedules in preventing infections and cancer, and is also a more efficient way to use these vaccines,” she said . Global news in an interview.

3:08
The HPV vaccine also prevents cancer in men

Sauvageau is a member of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s HPV working group, which proposed changes to vaccination schedules in Canada.

Receive weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information every Sunday.

In July, NACI has updated its recommendations for the HPV vaccinewith one dose of the Gardasil-9 shot highly recommended for Canadians aged nine to 20. A two-dose regimen was previously recommended for this age group.

For Canadians aged 21 and older, the recommendation is now two doses of the Gardasil-9 vaccine – instead of three – six months apart.

For individuals age nine and older who have a weakened immune system or are living with HIV, NACI still recommends a three-dose schedule.

In Canada, Gardasil-9 is the recommended vaccine because it protects against the widest range of HPV types and associated diseases.

NACI told Global News that it will continue to monitor the evidence of single-dose HPV vaccine schedules as evidence becomes available from clinical trials, Canadian data and other countries where similar schedules are being adopted, such as the UK and Australia, and will update guidelines as necessary.

The Canadian recommendation is in line with the World Health Organisationwhich recommends a one or two dose schedule for girls and women aged nine to twenty years and two doses spaced six months apart for patients over 21 years of age.

2:29
Health is important: research shows that the HPV vaccine is very effective

Sauvageau said there is some data to suggest that one dose of HPV vaccine could also be helpful for people over age 20, but not enough to make a strong recommendation at this time.

The reduction in doses will free up not only vaccines but also those administering the vaccines, she said, with nurses having to make fewer trips to schools.

It could also help reduce costs and increase vaccine uptake, Sauvageau said, pointing to the example of Australia, which also made the change last year.

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in Canada, with as many as 75 percent of sexually active adults It is estimated that they will be infected at some point in their lives.

The WHO says HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, especially if the infection persists, but most infections clear up on their own without symptoms.

In 2022, there were 1,730 new cases of cervical cancer and 760 new deaths reported in Canada, according to WHO data.

Sauvageau said the HPV vaccine “is among the best” with a high efficacy rate of 95 percent.

“Even in the most pessimistic scenario that the study looks at, we can see that we can eradicate cervical cancer if we can have high vaccine coverage. So these vaccines really work very well.”

&copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.