Safety of human papillomavirus vaccines: a review

Abstract

Introduction: Between 2006 and 2009, two different human papillomavirus virus (HPV) vaccines were licensed for use: a quadrivalent (qHPVv) and a bivalent (bHPVv) vaccine. Since 2008, HPV vaccination programmes have been implemented in the majority of the industrialized countries. Since 2013, HPV vaccination has been part of the national programs of 66 countries including almost all countries in North America and Western Europe. Despite all the efforts made by individual countries, coverage rates are lower than expected. Vaccine safety represents one of the main concerns associated with the lack of acceptance of HPV vaccination both in the European Union/European Economic Area and elsewhere. Areas covered: Safety data published on bivalent and quadrivalent HPV vaccines, both in pre-licensure and post-licensure phase, are reviewed. Expert opinion: Based on the latest scientific evidence, both HPV vaccines seem to be safe. Nevertheless, public concern and rumors about adverse events (AE) represent an important barrier to overcome in order to increase vaccine coverage. Passive surveillance of AEs is an important tool for detecting safety signals, but it should be complemented by activities aimed at assessing the real cause of all suspect AEs. Improved vaccine safety surveillance is the first step for effective communication based on scientific evidence.

Persuasive messaging for human papillomavirus vaccination by adolescent providers in a five-country multi-site study

“…Attitudes and beliefs from these clinicians highlight the difficulties associated with human papillomavirus vaccination uptake in some countries where anti-human papillomavirus vaccination campaigns prevail, despite numerous reports demonstrating the safety and high tolerability of human papillomavirus vaccination 33. This underlines the importance of developing cultural-, religious-, and ethnic-specific messages to enhance the uptake of human papillomavirus vaccination 34.…”

Immunotherapy against cancer-related viruses

“…A nona-valent vaccine (Gardasil 9, Merck & Co., Inc.) that covers five additional HPV genotypes (31,33,45,52, and 58) responsible for an additional 15%-20% of cervical cancer cases has more recently been approved by the FDA [113]. In general, HPV vaccines are safe and effective as prophylaxis against infection [114][115], but have no activity against established disease since they lack specificity for E6/E7, the only viral proteins expressed in HPV-associated tumors. Therapeutic vaccines are currently under investigation [116].…”

Including males in Canadian human papillomavirus vaccination programs: a policy analysis

“…20,21 Serious adverse events as a result of the HPV vaccines are rare, and most reported reactions are of pain at the injection site. 1,21,22 Both HPV vaccines' safety has been assured by the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the NACI and other international advisory committees. [23][24][25] In terms of the HPV vaccine's real-world impact, epidemiologic evidence has found significant reductions in HPVrelated infections (77% decrease in prevalence),…”