Preclinical study of safety and immunogenicity of combined rubella and human papillomavirus vaccines: Towards enhancing vaccination uptake rates in developing countries

Abstract

Rubella vaccine was not part of national immunization programs (NIP) in several countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South-East Asia (SEA), and South Africa regions until the year 2000. Therefore, immunization coverage of females older than 20 years old in these countries has been the focus of national campaigns for rubella elimination in developing countries. Vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) are not part of NIPs in developing countries. To enhance the advantages of rubella-directed immunization campaigns and to increase HPV vaccine uptake in developing countries, this study aimed to test the stability, potency, efficacy and safety of a combined rubella and HPV vaccine. Female BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously with proposed combined HPV16/HPV18 VLP and rubella vaccine at weeks (W) 0, 3 then with HPV vaccine at W 7. Immunized mice developed antigen-specific antibodies against rubella and HPV significantly higher than mice immunized with rubella or HPV vaccine alone. The combined vaccine induced significantly higher splenocyte proliferation than control groups. In addition, pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-6, IL-2, and IFNγ levels were significantly higher in mice immunized with the combined vaccine than control groups. Overall, the combined vaccine was safe and immunogenic offering antibody protection as well as eliciting a cellular immune response against rubella and HPV viruses in a single vaccine. This combined vaccine can be of great value to females above 20 years old in the SEA, MENA and South Africa regions offering coverage to rubella vaccine and a potential increase in HPV vaccine uptake rates after appropriate clinical testing.

Investigation of awareness of human papilloma virus infection among female health workers at Ondokuz Mayıs University

“…In the same study, only 27.9% of the participants knew about the HPV vaccine, and only 1.4% had been vaccinated. In another study, 520 nursing students working in a tertiary health institution in Ankara and a control group of 232 people were evaluated (7). This study, which was conducted among female health workers about HPV, showed that awareness knowledge/ awareness of HPV is high among female health workers.…”

“…Contrary to cancers that develop in other parts of the body, cervical cancer and its precursor lesions are treatable in the early stages of the disease and can be detected early. The majority of women do not typically exhibit symptoms until the disease has progressed, making cervical cancer screenings essential (7). Awareness of the condition, screening methods, and preventive measures are all essential to the prevention and control of cervical cancer (8).…”