What diseases does the cervical cancer vaccine prevent

Cervical cancer vaccines mainly prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, thereby reducing the risk of cervical cancer and other related diseases. Getting vaccinated as early as possible can effectively protect your health, but regular cervical cancer screening is still required.

HPV is a highly contagious virus that is closely related to the occurrence of cervical cancer. Some high-risk HPV types can also cause vaginal cancer, anal cancer and certain head and neck cancers; low-risk HPV types usually cause benign lesions such as genital warts. Cervical cancer vaccines simulate viral spike proteins to induce the body to produce antibodies, fundamentally preventing viral infection.

Currently, common cervical cancer vaccines include bivalent, quadrivalent and nine-valent vaccines, which target different types of HPV and cover a variety of high-risk and low-risk viruses. The bivalent vaccine mainly prevents HPV16 and 18, which account for about 70% of cervical cancer cases; the quadrivalent vaccine also adds HPV6 and 11 to the bivalent vaccine to prevent genital warts; the nine-valent vaccine further expands to HPV31, 33, 45 and other types, with a wider range of protection.

Vaccination should be based on individual age and health conditions. It is generally recommended that people aged 9 to 26 be given priority for vaccination, especially before first sexual intercourse for the best effect. People who are over the appropriate age range can also receive a booster shot based on a doctor's evaluation. Although vaccines can effectively prevent related diseases, they do not cure existing infections. Therefore, those with symptoms must go to a regular hospital for examination and follow the doctor's advice for treatment.