HPV Vaccines: Dose recommendations

Published June 13 2014 inSexual Health
stopwatch1 minutes read

The HPV vaccines, Gardasil (which is used at Better2Know clinics) and Cervarix, have had the number of recommended doses changed from three to two. Following research from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), their recommendation has been adopted.

 

The current schedule for Gardasil is to have:

  • Dose 1
  • Dose 2 – 1 month later
  • Dose 3 – 5 months after Dose 2, and 6 months after Dose 1

The new schedule for Gardasil is:

  • Dose 1
  • Dose 2 – 6 to 24 months later

The research also showed that the vaccine had a high take-up rate.  It is currently given to nearly 90% of schoolgirls in the UK of 12 to 13 year of age.  There is already strong evidence to show that it is reducing the number of HPV infections in sexually active young women since it was introduced in 2008.

Anyone who is currently having the vaccines and has had the second dose is strongly recommended to stick with their current schedule and continue to have the third dose.

Better2Know offers Gardasil across many of its clinics.  Gardasil protects against four of the most common types of HPV: including two common causes of cervical cancer and two common causes of genital warts.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mike has been delivering world class Sexually Transmitted Infections testing services to Better2Know patients around the world for over ten years. He has written extensively on the subject, including numerous blogs for Better2Know which are designed to demystify the complex intricacies of sexual health testing. Mike wants to help his readers understand the risks they take in their daily sexual lives and provide the information they need when choosing an STI or STD test in a clear, concise and understandable way. Mike is particularly interested in writing about viral STIs like HIV and Hepatitis, as these infections can have a devastating impact on people’s lives if they are not diagnosed quickly. Only through being well informed can you best care for your health, and Mike is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience to help you and all his readers lead a happier, healthier life.