Cervarix Vaccine

Cervarix Vaccine is administered by injection to females aged between 9 and 45 years. The injection will be given in two or three doses several months apart. It is given by your doctor or nurse, who will make sure you get the right amount. It’s important to keep taking this medicine until your doctor tells you not to. Use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it even if you feel well. 

The most common side effects are injection site pain or swelling, joint pain, muscle pain, headache, and stomach upset. They are usually mild and resolve on their own. Consult your doctor if they bother you or do not go away.

Before taking this vaccine, tell your doctor if you have ever fainted with a previous injection and if you have a weak immune system. Ask your doctor if it is safe to have the vaccine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This vaccine is not an alternative to routine cervical screening. You should still turn up for all scheduled appointments.

Prevention of Cervical cancer

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Cervarix Vaccine is a vaccine which helps to develop immunity by initiating a mild infection. This type of infection does not cause illness, but it stimulates the body’s immune system to produce antibodies to protect against any future infections.

Information not available at the moment. Please check back later.

Cervarix Vaccine is used for the prevention of cervical cancer.

It is usually given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm.

Remain seated for atleast 15 minutes after the injection as it may cause dizziness or fainting.

It does not protect against every type of HPV. Take precautions against sexually transmitted disease and follow your doctor’s advice.

It does not cure an existing HPV infection. But, it can protect you from other different strains of HPV.

Consult with your doctor if you forget to take a scheduled dose. 

Q. What is Cervarix Vaccine used for?

Cervarix Vaccine is used in females, for the prevention of cervical cancer. It protects a woman from the infection caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18.

Q. Who should get vaccinated?

Cervarix Vaccine is best given as early as possible to adolescent girls between 11 and 12 years of age. It is also recommended for all females lying between 13 and 26 years of age who did not get the vaccine when they were younger. It can be given to females within the age of 9 to 45 years. However, the dose and schedule of vaccine will depend on the age of the person.

Q. Can I have Cervarix Vaccine if I am not a virgin anymore? And will it still be effective?

Yes, you can still get the vaccine even if you have had sexual intercourse. There are 100 types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Even if you already have one strain of HPV, you can still get benefit from the vaccine because it can protect you from other strains that you don’t yet have.

Q. I didn’t get the last dose of the Cervarix Vaccine. Do I need to start over again?

No, you can just continue from where you left off. Usually a 3 dose schedule of Cervarix Vaccine is recommended. The second dose should be given 1 to 2 months after the first one, and the third one should be given after 6 months of the second one. However, if the last dose is delayed, the series does not need to be restarted and you may continue the treatment from where you left. Please let your doctor know and he/she will suggest when to give you the missed dose.

Q. Is Pap smear test (a method of cervical screening) still necessary if I have already taken the Cervarix Vaccine?

Yes, vaccinated women will still need regular cervical cancer screening because the vaccine protects against most but not all HPV types that can cause cervical cancer.

Q. How well does Cervarix Vaccine work?

Cervarix Vaccine works extremely well. Clinical trials have shown that these types of vaccines provide close to 100% protection against cervical cancer and infection caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18.

Q. Does Cervarix Vaccine carry any health risks or side effects?

Overall, the effects are usually mild. The most common side effects include soreness, swelling or redness at the injection site. Sometimes dizziness or fainting occurs after the injection, sitting for 15 minutes after the injection can reduce the risk of fainting. In addition, headaches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue or weakness may also occur.

Q. Do I need to worry about HPV if my partner and I always use a condom?

If your partner has HPV infection (with or without symptoms), you can still be infected with HPV even if you always use condom. This is because a condom can not provide 100% protection from any sexually transmitted infection. Furthermore, HPV is mostly transmitted during sexual intercourse, but it can also be transmitted, due to oral sex or during genital to genital contact.

In Prevention of Cervical cancer

Cervarix Vaccine is given to protect against cervical cancer and pre-cancerous lesions in female genitals (cervix, vulva, and vagina) that is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18. The vaccine is intended to prevent these and not to treat them. It is normally given between the ages of 9 and 25. It works by increasing your body’s natural defense (immunity) against the HPV (types 16 and 18). The vaccine is given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm by a doctor or nurse. You must make sure you receive all doses in order to be protected. HPV vaccines are considered very safe and the benefits far outweigh the potential health risk.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Upset stomach

Headache

Tiredness

Muscle pain

Joint pain

Injection site pain

Injection site redness

Alcohol:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Cervarix Vaccine. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Cervarix Vaccine is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.

Breast feeding:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Cervarix Vaccine is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.

Driving:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether Cervarix Vaccine alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.

Kidney:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Cervarix Vaccine is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Cervarix Vaccine may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

Liver:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Cervarix Vaccine is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Cervarix Vaccine may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

Cervarix . Mumbai, India: GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited; 2008 . view

CervarixVaccine, Recombinant]. Rixensart, Belgium:GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals; 2009. view

Sinha A, Singh S. Immunization and Immunodeficiency. In: Paul VK, Bagga A, editors. Ghai Essential Pediatrics. 8th ed. New Delhi: CBS Publisher’s & Distributors Pvt Ltd.; 2013. pp. 200-201.

Human Papillomavirus BivalentVaccine, Recombinant. Rixensart, Belgium: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals; 2009. view

Cervarix]. Rixensart, Belgium: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals S.A. view

Medscape. Cervarix . Accessed 04 Apr. 2019] view