Epidemiologist dispels myths about HPV vaccination and its effect on reproductive health

Cervical cancer (cervical cancer) is one of the most common cancer pathologies in women around the world. In Belarus, about a thousand cases of this disease are diagnosed annually, and, unfortunately, not all patients can be saved. Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) is an effective method of preventing cancer of RSM. It is included in vaccination programs in more than 140 countries, and the results are impressive: in regions where this approach has been used for more than 10-15 years, precancerous cervical changes and cancer itself almost disappear in young women.

Since 2025, HPV vaccination in Belarus has been included in the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations. The main target audience is girls aged 11 years. Despite positive international experience, some parents remain prejudiced against such vaccination. One of the common questions is: will the vaccine trigger the infection?

Vaccines against HPV infection do not contain viable biological material or viral DNA, so they can not lead to infection and cause the development of HPV infection or MSM, explains Veronika Vysotskaya, head of the epidemiology department of the Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health. Vaccines contain individual proteins of the virus, which, when ingested, activate immunity and lead to the production of antibodies aimed at fighting HPV. However, it is important to understand that the drug administered, although it protects against HPV infection, does not cure an already existing infection and does not “remove” an already settled virus. That is why it is advisable and most effective to vaccinate children and adolescents, ideally - before sexual debut.

Another common concern of parents is whether vaccination causes side effects. Some pseudoscientific publications claim that vaccination negatively affects fertility.

Vaccines against HPV infection are safe and well tolerated by patients, have a good safety profile, confirmed by many years of observation, says Veronika Vysotskaya. Of course, like other vaccines and drugs, they can sometimes cause unwanted reactions, such as soreness, redness and/or swelling at the injection site, headache, or a slight increase in body temperature. These symptoms usually last from a few hours to three days and pass without a trace.

Over the years of observation of hundreds of thousands of vaccinated specialists do not note an increase in infertility. The results of large scientific studies have shown no effect on reproductive health and fertility. The myth of “vaccination infertility” has been refuted by years of safety monitoring. HPV vaccination is a reliable way to protect health and dispel myths.