After the start of the free vaccination of children from human papilloma in the Valencian Communitythat until now only girls were financed, many families can breathe peacefully because it will mean considerable savings since the antidote has a price that varies between almost 122 euros and more than 172.
This variation in the cost of the antidote is due to the fact that in Spain there are three different types of Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV). All are licensed for use in boys, as well as girls, and while they all prevent infection from the types of papillomaviruses that most commonly cause health problems, there are differences between them.
What is the human papillomavirus
Papillomavirus, whose vaccine is included in the vaccination calendar of the Valencian Community, is related to cervical cancer 100% (although not all types of cancer) and 100% anogenital warts. It is also the responsible for 5% of all human cancers and could be the basis of 70% of all cases of oropharyngeal or vaginal cancer, as well as 90% of anal cancers. It is also associated with 40% of penile and vulvar cancers.
It’s about a common virus transmitted from person to person by direct contact with the skin while held sexual intercourse. There are about 40 different types of HPV and it is estimated that most people will be infected with this virus at some point in their life, although the most common is in their late teens and early 20s; hence the importance of vaccination before intercourse has taken place.
Despite the high number of contagiousthe most common is that carriers do not even find out that they have been infected papilloma virus because it usually does not cause problems and goes away on its own. However, there are cases when the virus persists for a long time in the body and ends up developing a malignant tumor. There is no way of knowing who will develop these cancers and who will not, or who will have active HPV in their body and who will not, so it’s best to get vaccinated to prevent possible future health problems. At all levels and for both sexes.
And that is it, even if it usually has been papillomavirus linked to cervical cancer (that’s why girls are vaccinated), it also causes genital warts, anus and penile cancer, or throat cancer among men. Therefore, the vaccination of men and women is very important because it promotes the desired group immunity.
Different between the 3 papillomavirus vaccines
With all this data, the benefits offered by human papillomavirus vaccine. Three different papillomavirus vaccines are currently marketed: Cervarix, Gardasil and Gardasil 9.
The one who is vaccinated for free to minors in Social Security is Cervarix. The other two are of more recent creation and have slight differences with the first which, basically, could be summed up in one sentence: they give more protection. This does not mean, it should be emphasized, that Cervarix does not offer good protection, but rather that the new antidotes offer better protection. Nothing more.
Cervarix covers 75-80% of potential human papillomaviruses, while Gardasil offers similar protection and the latest commercialized vaccine, Gardasil 9, protects against over 90% of potential oncogenic viruses.
The prices of HPV vaccines are also different:
- Cervarix: 121.81 euros per dose
- Gardasil: 155.91 euros per dose
- Gardasil 9: 172.55 euros per dose
The The minimum age for human papilloma vaccination is 9 years and the three vaccines allow regimens of 2 doses separated from each other for a period of six months: Gardasil up to before the age of 14 (its total cost would be 311.82 euros) and Cervarix and Gardasil 9 up to before the age of 15 (the price the total for Cervarix would be 243.62 euros and for Gardasil 9 a total of 345.10 euros). From these ages, the recommendation is three doses, which would multiply the expense even more.
