HPV vaccine

HPV - HPV infection, vaccine, side effects, price and recommendations (2022)

The HPV vaccine protects against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a group of viruses, where some types cause warts and other types can cause cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, as well as female and male genitals. HPV is the only known cause of cervical cancer, thus it is recommended that all women and men get the HPV vaccine. You can easily order a digital prescription for the vaccine, and get vaccinated in one of our partner pharmacies.

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HPV infection

HPV (human papillomavirus) is a group of viruses that, among other things, are sexually transmitted and are a very common infection in women. Fortunately, the infection usually goes away on its own. Most have no symptoms and in nine out of ten the infection goes away on its own within 6-24 months.

– Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection we have. Of all sexually active people, over 70 percent get this virus, so it is more the rule than the exception to get infected, says doctor Daniel Sørli.

There are around 200 different HPV viruses, they all spread through direct contact. About 40 of these are transmitted through sexual contact. HPV is the only known cause of cervical cancer, with types 16 and 18 causing 70% of these. Some types of HPV cause benign genital warts. Most Norwegian women and men become infected with HPV during their lifetime. The virus can be present without being active for several decades before it becomes active and causes infection, so you can be a carrier of this virus for a long time without even being aware of it.

Symptoms

Genital warts
Changed discharge with brown-pink color, changed odor
Minor bleeding between two menstrual periods
Bleeding / brownish discharge after intercourse and physical activity
Bleeding after menopause
Pain / discomfort from the abdomen or lower back

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HPV vaccination in Norway

The HPV vaccine was introduced for girls in 2009, and for boys in 2018. It is now part of the childhood vaccination program in 7th grade for both sexes. The vaccine is injected into the upper arm, and two doses aged 9-14 years and three doses aged 15 years or older during a year are needed to achieve protection. The duration of protection and the possible need for a refresher dose have not yet been determined, but studies so far show very good and long-lasting protection, possibly lifelong. If you have questions about the vaccine, the vaccine guard at FHI offers good advice.

The vaccine is not live and does not contain traces of eggs and chicken, nor mercury.

Who should get vaccinated against HPV?

Vaccination against HPV is recommended for all young women and men. Vaccination of men is just as important as that of women, as an HPV infection in men can also cause cancer of the penis, rectum, oral cavity and throat.

There is no upper age limit for taking the HPV vaccine. You should not be vaccinated if you are pregnant, have an allergy to the vaccine or the ingredients or have an acute infectious disease with a fever.

The vaccine does not provide full protection against all types of HPV that can cause cancer and therefore vaccinated girls are recommended to follow the cervical program with cell samples regularly from the age of 25.

How Dr.Dropin can help you

Vaccination at a pharmacy

You can get a prescription for the vaccine by filling out a digital form. Once you have received a prescription, you can choose to get vaccinated at one of our partner pharmacies or at a clinic.

Order prescription 295,-

Vaccination in clinic

We recommend that you use the digital form or book a video consultation to get the prescription, then book a regular consultation in clinic. You have to pick up the vaccine at the pharmacy before coming to the clinic. If you are insured by Gjensidige, you usually have video consultation included.

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HPV vaccine and price

The vaccine is free for those who are part of the child vaccination program, and for the elderly (born before 1991) who want the vaccine, a full vaccination usually costs just under NOK 4000 (for 3 vaccines in total), in addition comes the consultation price with the doctor.

At Dr.Dropin, doctors can help you print a prescription, which you pick up at the pharmacy and then can have it placed in one of our clinics. Dr.Dropin offers a fixed consultation price of NOK 695,-. The vaccines sold at the pharmacy costs about NOK 925 and 1600 per dose. Both vaccines provide protection against HPV-virus. HPV 16 and 18 are the only known causes of cervical cancer.

Side effects of the HPV-vaccine

It is common for the area where the vaccine was given to feel a little tender in the first few days, sometimes the skin can become a little warm and red, rarely a local skin infection can develop at the injection site.

For the first 1-2 days after vaccination, someone may notice cold-like symptoms with joint and muscle pain, mild fever, and headache. Others may get a little stomach ache and nausea. These are common, completely harmless side effects. A few may experience a rash.

Frequently asked questions

What is HPV?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of viruses, where some types are sexually transmitted and can cause genital warts or cancer of the mouth, pharynx, labia, cervix or penis.

What happens if I get HPV?

Many people can go with the virus for a long time without symptoms, but when the virus is active, genital warts or cell changes can form in the deeper layers of the skin. Over a long period of time, this can develop into cancer if left untreated. Cell changes cause symptoms such as colored discharge such as odor, small bleeding from the vagina, bleeding after intercourse or during physical activity, pain / discomfort from the abdomen or lower back.

Why should I get vaccinated?

It provides good and long-lasting protection against infection by the types of HPV viruses that cause cervical and penile cancer, and therefore helps to prevent the development of these types of cancer.

What are the side effects with the vaccine?

It is common to get a little ache in the arm where the vaccine was put, some experience that the skin here becomes a little red and warm. Others may have a rash, headache, mild cold symptoms, stomach cramps or nausea. These are common side effects, completely harmless and short-lived.

I am over 25 years old and have been sexually active for a long time, should I still take the vaccine?

It is not too late, even those who are older and have made their sexual debut have a good and long-lasting effect of the vaccine, even if they have previously had an infection with HPV.

Why does not everyone get the offer of the vaccine regardless of age?

Everyone can take the vaccine regardless of age, but it is included in the childhood vaccination program as it is considered beneficial to be vaccinated and be protected before making a sexual debut.

Author: Dr. Anne Marte Ladim
Last updated: 23.06.2022

Sources

Folkehelseinstituttet, (2019), HPV-vaksine (humant papillomavirus) - veileder for helsepersonell, (online), tilgjengelig fra: https://www.fhi.no/nettpub/vaksinasjonsveilederen-for-helsepersonell/vaksiner-mot-de-enkelte-sykdommene/hpv-vaksinasjon-humant-papillomavir/ (hentet 20.05.2020)

Kreftforeningen, https://kreftforeningen.no/om-kreft/kreftformer/livmorhalskreft/ (hentet 20.05.2020)

Norsk elektronisk legehåndbok, https://legehandboka.no/handboken/kliniske-kapitler/infeksjoner/tilstander-og-sykdommer/virusinfeksjoner/humant-papillomavirus-hpv/ (hentet den 20.05.2020)

Tønjum, T., (2018), HPV, (online), Store medisinske leksikonhttps://sml.snl.no/HPV (hentet 20.05.2020)