DurgicalDurgical
EN
Open the app

Pharmacology · Viral vaccines

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine !

Virus-like particles made of the HPV L1 capsid protein. It prevents infection by the types that cause most cervical cancer and genital warts.

Updated 2026-11-01

  • Class: Viral vaccines
  • Target: HPV major capsid protein L1
  • ATC code: J07BM
  • WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

Also called: HPV vaccine, Bivalent, quadrivalent or nonavalent HPV vaccine, VPH (Spanish)

The figure shows the L1 pentamer of HPV type 16; in the vaccine, L1 pentamers self-assemble into empty virus-like particles with no viral DNA.

Target in 3D: HPV major capsid protein L1. PDB structure 2R5H (RCSB PDB, public domain). View the structure at RCSB PDB

Mechanism of action

Recombinant L1 protein assembles into virus-like particles that look like the virus shell but carry no genetic material. They induce high levels of neutralising antibodies that stop new infection by the vaccine types. It is preventive only: it has no effect on an infection or lesion already present. The nonavalent vaccine covers types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58; 16 and 18 are the main cancer types, 6 and 11 cause genital warts.

  1. L1 protein self-assembles into empty virus-like particles
  2. The particles induce strong neutralising antibody responses
  3. Antibodies block new infection by the vaccine types
  4. No persistent infection means no precancer or cancer from those types

Pharmacokinetics

Onset and duration
Protects only against infections acquired after vaccination; it does not treat existing infection

Indications

  • Prevention of HPV infection by the vaccine types, before exposure (it does not treat existing infection) Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection →
  • Prevention of cervical precancer and cancer Cervical cancer →
  • Colombian PAI: girls and boys; since October 2024 a single-dose schedule for healthy children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 and two doses for immunosuppressed people of the same age (MinSalud)

Adverse effects

Common

  • Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
  • Syncope after the injection, mainly in adolescents

Contraindications

  • Severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or a component
  • Immediate hypersensitivity to yeast

Key interactions

Cervical cancer screening
Does not replace it: some cancers are caused by types not in the vaccine, so screening continues

What is monitored

  • Observe the person seated after the injection because of the risk of fainting
  • Schedule completed according to age and immune status

Administration and safety

  • Intramuscular route
  • Give with the person seated, and keep them under observation (CDC suggests about 15 minutes) because of syncope
  • No pregnancy test is needed before vaccination
  • Record the batch and product

Nursing care

  • Ask about yeast allergy and reactions to previous doses
  • Keep the adolescent seated and watch for fainting
  • Explain that the vaccine does not treat existing infection and that cervical screening continues
  • Check the schedule that applies (healthy or immunosuppressed)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Not recommended during pregnancy: the series is delayed until after delivery. If a dose was given in pregnancy, nothing needs to be done.

Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

Which HPV types are most associated with cervical cancer, and which with genital warts?

Types 16 and 18 with cancer; types 6 and 11 with genital warts.

Why can the HPV vaccine not cause infection?

It contains virus-like particles made only of L1 capsid protein, with no viral DNA.

Does a vaccinated woman still need cervical screening?

Yes: the vaccine does not cover every oncogenic type and does not treat infections acquired before vaccination.

Add to my cards (3)

← Back to the class: Viral vaccines

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: Chapter 11: Human Papillomavirus | Pink Book | CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021); Lineamiento Técnico y Operativo de la Primera Jornada Nacional de Vacunación (Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social (Colombia), 2026); ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

Spotted a mistake?We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it.Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.