HPV Vaccination Is Effective Against Oral HPV 16/18 Infection

Vaccination to prevent cervical cancer may also lower risk for HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers.

Incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)–associated malignancy of the oropharynx is on the rise, especially in developed countries. Investigators assessed the prevalence of oral HPV infection among women who received the bivalent HPV 16/18 vaccine or a non-HPV control vaccine.

Four years after receipt of the vaccine, 15 of 2924 control-vaccinated women versus 1 of 2910 HPV-vaccinated women had oral HPV 16 infections, yielding a vaccine efficacy of 93%. This protection was specific to the HPV types included in the vaccine.

Reviewing Author

Anna Wald, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAicuris; Bayer; GSK; Innovative Molecules; Merck; MAPP Biopharmaceutical (Safety Monitoring Committee)

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; GSK; Moderna; Assembly Biomedical; Aicuris

Editorial BoardsSexually Transmitted Diseases; Sexually Transmitted Infections; Journal of Infectious Diseases

Leadership PositionsID Division Chiefs Community of Practice (At-Large Member)