Question

Is the HPV vaccine safe for people living with HIV?

16 July 2023. Related: All topics, Living with HIV long-term, Opportunistic infections.

I have been doing well on ART for more than 10 years and my doctor just recommended this.

Thanks for any info.

Answer

Hi there

Thanks for your questions.

It is great that you are doing so well on treatment – and also that your doctor is looking at other ways to keep you well.

The following information covers most of the things people want to know about.

Please let us know if you have other questions.

What is the HPV vaccine for?

The HPV vaccine protects against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

HPV is actually a family of more than 150 related viruses, a few of which are associated with serious cancers. Several viruses cause warts, including genital warts.

Having the HPV vaccine can protect you against the viruses that have higher risks for harm.

The vaccines can therefore protect you against these cancers in the future.

Is the HPV vaccine safe?

Yes, The HPV vaccines are very safe and very effective.

They have already been widely used in young people – just before or during adolescence – the vaccine has provided really strong protection against cancers and genital warts.

The vaccine is also recommended in people living with HIV because we can also benefit from the vaccine.

Will the vaccine interact with or affect my HIV meds?

Vaccines work in a different way to HIV meds.

They are very safe to use together.

The vaccine will not interact with your HIV meds in any way.

Why am I being offered the HPV vaccine?

People living with HIV have higher rates of HPV infection than the general population.

We are more likely to have greater numbers of different types of HPV.

We also have higher rates of HPV-related cancers, even if we are on effective ART.

These are reasons why people living with HIV are offered the HPV vaccine when we are older.

How many doses will I need?

People living with HIV need three doses of the vaccine.

The second and third doses are roughly one month and six months after the first dose.

The timing doesn’t need to be exact though.

It is even okay if the doses are a few months later, especially the last shot.

It is important to complete the three doses though.

How flexible is the vaccine schedule?

Vaccine doses can be very flexible.

This is not like adherence to HIV meds where you don’t want to miss or be late with a dose.

The timing of the schedule above is just a guide.

The vaccine response will be just as good, even if you are a month or two later than planned.

Do I need the vaccine if I already have HPV or if I have had warts?

Many of the HPV strains are commonly transmitted just by having sex.

Most of us already have some HPV without realising it because the strains are not tested for.

The vaccines still protect against the other strains that we might not have.

Even if you have had warts, the vaccine is still recommended.

Where can I get more information?

The British HIV Association (BHIVA) produce guidelines that cover more than 20 vaccines that are used in people living with HIV.

This includes the HPV vaccine.

Although the language is quite technical, it is a good reference for more detailed information.

https://www.bhiva.org/file/NriBJHDVKGwzZ/2015-Vaccination-Guidelines.pdf (PDF file)

The UK government also recently issued guidelines about the HPV vaccine.

This included the importance of using three doses in people living with HIV.

HPV vaccination programme: changes from September 2023 letter
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hpv-vaccination-programme-changes-from-september-2023-letter