Prophylactic HPV vaccination provides an opportunity to profoundly affect
cervical cancer incidence worldwide. The quadrivalent HPV VLP 6, 11, 16, 18
vaccine (
Gardasil) and the bivalent HPV VLP 16, 18
vaccine (
Cervarix) are effective for prevention of
HPV infection and cervical precancerous lesions. The
quadrivalent vaccine is also effective for prevention of vulvar and vaginal lesions and
genital warts. With the introduction of the
vaccines general issues have to be raised such as optimal age for vaccination, duration of protection after vaccination, impact on
cervical cancer screening, vaccination of males and feasibility of application to developing countries. The prospects of a
vaccine which will protect against the most common viral
sexually transmitted infection and thereby, protect against the complications of
HPV infection such as
cervical cancer is extremely appealing. The success of HPV vaccination as a major public health prevention opportunity, however, will entirely depend on efficient infrastructures to deliver the
vaccines and on the acceptance by individuals, parents and health care providers.