HPV vaccination rollout: Safe, effective and powered by Gardasil 4
OPINION
Medical history has taught us that vaccinations have remained one of the most successful stories of the 21st century.
It is safe to say that no other medical intervention has revolutionised healthcare and global quality of life as much as safe vaccinations. Perhaps only the dawn of antibiotic usage remains a close second.
Dreaded viral diseases – once rampant and incurable – have many been relegated to the aisles of medical history books through active, effective vaccines.
If I could rewind perhaps our memories back to the 1980s, smallpox, a dreaded disease that once debilitated humans for centuries, was eradicated worldwide via human vaccination and community efforts that led to successful eradication.
In the context of the 1980s era, closer to home in Namibia – could we ever forget polio?
The success of the vaccination campaigns of the 1980s and 1990s, such as 'Kick Polio Out of Namibia', still stands out.
The image of the iconic footballer kicking the disease out of the country resonated powerfully. I doubt there was another local campaign image as strong and iconic.
The message was clear and trusted by the community. Together, through effective vaccination campaigns, we kicked polio out of the country and, ultimately, the world.
Knowledge, progress
New technologies have brought about a recent explosion of general medical vaccination information readily available to everyone.
For the average person, this can be overwhelming.
The ease of access to information is welcomed and readily accepted if the intention remains ultimately to encourage people to be held accountable for their individual health.
The medical information on vaccination requires not only a focused insight but also holds the individual responsible for acquiring a deeper knowledge of the information provided.
Thus, with said information, the recipient is advised to refrain from uninformed sources but rather to seek robust, evidence-based vaccination advice. This requires starting with a look at the basics of immunology.
The primary prerogative of healthcare professionals is to provide concise, up-to-date data – a heavy burden.
However, this is key to providing accurate, evidence-based data.
This is not a new concept and has always been paramount to trustworthy healthcare. However, the format, speed and delivery of science-based information have evolved, turning it into a race where timely action becomes the antidote to fear.
HPV breakthroughs
Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Namibia and across southern Africa.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for more than 90% of cervical cancer cases, making prevention through vaccination a top public health priority. This year, Namibia is taking a historic step by introducing the HPV vaccine nationwide.
Gardasil 4, also known as the quadrivalent HPV vaccine, is specifically designed to protect against four major HPV types: 6, 11, 16, and 18. Types 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 70% of all cervical cancer cases, while types 6 and 11 cause the majority of genital warts. Gardasil 4 has been widely used globally and is approved for use in both girls and boys to prevent various HPV-related cancers and diseases.
The Gardasil 4 are central to its ability to stimulate immunity against HPV. The L1 VLP (virus-like particle) antigens specifically.
Gardasil 4 contains VLPs made from the L1 major capsid protein of HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. These VLPs self-assemble into structures that mimic the outer shell of the actual HPV virus but contain no active viral genetic material, thus cannot cause direct infection.
This, simply put, means they thus do not produce or replicate in the host cell and thus increase the vaccine's overall safety profile.
The immune system recognises these VLPs as foreign upon injection of Gardasil 4. They can be thought of as an imitation of the natural virus’s surface; the immune system mounts an initial strong response, in turn producing high levels of neutralising antibodies. These are targeted specifically against the L1 proteins of the included various HPV types.
The antibodies produced are highly type-specific. They target the exact HPV types present in the Gardasil 4 vaccine. HPV infection is a mucosal surface-specific infection, and thus these antibodies circulate in the blood found at these specific sites.
Once a vaccinated person is exposed to HPV, these mucosal surface antibodies can bind to and neutralise the virus. This prevents the established infection.
This antibody response induced by the L1 VLPs is a key reason behind the long-term efficacy of using this vaccine.
In summary, Gardasil 4 prevents cervical and other HPV-related cancers by training the immune system to recognise and block infection from the most dangerous HPV types. This in turn stops the virus before it can cause cellular changes that lead to this cancer.
Thus, with the above provided, we could aim to support the Namibian HPV initiative by encouraging rollout to our youth and ensuring safe, protected health and future.
Parents and caregivers: Protect your daughters’ health and future. Sign consent forms and support school
vaccination days. Teachers and community leaders: Help share accurate information and encourage
participation. Together, we can prevent cervical cancer and save lives.
*Dr BD Platt, clinical virologist registrar, MBchB.
It is safe to say that no other medical intervention has revolutionised healthcare and global quality of life as much as safe vaccinations. Perhaps only the dawn of antibiotic usage remains a close second.
Dreaded viral diseases – once rampant and incurable – have many been relegated to the aisles of medical history books through active, effective vaccines.
If I could rewind perhaps our memories back to the 1980s, smallpox, a dreaded disease that once debilitated humans for centuries, was eradicated worldwide via human vaccination and community efforts that led to successful eradication.
In the context of the 1980s era, closer to home in Namibia – could we ever forget polio?
The success of the vaccination campaigns of the 1980s and 1990s, such as 'Kick Polio Out of Namibia', still stands out.
The image of the iconic footballer kicking the disease out of the country resonated powerfully. I doubt there was another local campaign image as strong and iconic.
The message was clear and trusted by the community. Together, through effective vaccination campaigns, we kicked polio out of the country and, ultimately, the world.
Knowledge, progress
New technologies have brought about a recent explosion of general medical vaccination information readily available to everyone.
For the average person, this can be overwhelming.
The ease of access to information is welcomed and readily accepted if the intention remains ultimately to encourage people to be held accountable for their individual health.
The medical information on vaccination requires not only a focused insight but also holds the individual responsible for acquiring a deeper knowledge of the information provided.
Thus, with said information, the recipient is advised to refrain from uninformed sources but rather to seek robust, evidence-based vaccination advice. This requires starting with a look at the basics of immunology.
The primary prerogative of healthcare professionals is to provide concise, up-to-date data – a heavy burden.
However, this is key to providing accurate, evidence-based data.
This is not a new concept and has always been paramount to trustworthy healthcare. However, the format, speed and delivery of science-based information have evolved, turning it into a race where timely action becomes the antidote to fear.
HPV breakthroughs
Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Namibia and across southern Africa.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for more than 90% of cervical cancer cases, making prevention through vaccination a top public health priority. This year, Namibia is taking a historic step by introducing the HPV vaccine nationwide.
Gardasil 4, also known as the quadrivalent HPV vaccine, is specifically designed to protect against four major HPV types: 6, 11, 16, and 18. Types 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 70% of all cervical cancer cases, while types 6 and 11 cause the majority of genital warts. Gardasil 4 has been widely used globally and is approved for use in both girls and boys to prevent various HPV-related cancers and diseases.
The Gardasil 4 are central to its ability to stimulate immunity against HPV. The L1 VLP (virus-like particle) antigens specifically.
Gardasil 4 contains VLPs made from the L1 major capsid protein of HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. These VLPs self-assemble into structures that mimic the outer shell of the actual HPV virus but contain no active viral genetic material, thus cannot cause direct infection.
This, simply put, means they thus do not produce or replicate in the host cell and thus increase the vaccine's overall safety profile.
The immune system recognises these VLPs as foreign upon injection of Gardasil 4. They can be thought of as an imitation of the natural virus’s surface; the immune system mounts an initial strong response, in turn producing high levels of neutralising antibodies. These are targeted specifically against the L1 proteins of the included various HPV types.
The antibodies produced are highly type-specific. They target the exact HPV types present in the Gardasil 4 vaccine. HPV infection is a mucosal surface-specific infection, and thus these antibodies circulate in the blood found at these specific sites.
Once a vaccinated person is exposed to HPV, these mucosal surface antibodies can bind to and neutralise the virus. This prevents the established infection.
This antibody response induced by the L1 VLPs is a key reason behind the long-term efficacy of using this vaccine.
In summary, Gardasil 4 prevents cervical and other HPV-related cancers by training the immune system to recognise and block infection from the most dangerous HPV types. This in turn stops the virus before it can cause cellular changes that lead to this cancer.
Thus, with the above provided, we could aim to support the Namibian HPV initiative by encouraging rollout to our youth and ensuring safe, protected health and future.
Parents and caregivers: Protect your daughters’ health and future. Sign consent forms and support school
vaccination days. Teachers and community leaders: Help share accurate information and encourage
participation. Together, we can prevent cervical cancer and save lives.
*Dr BD Platt, clinical virologist registrar, MBchB.
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