Studies on the efficiency of the vaccine against human papilloma virus (HPV), the vaccine also meant reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer for women, had come with the conclusion the initial plan of three shots is better than the new two shots vaccination plan. In 2012 the vaccine against various types of HPV, including those which cause genital warts and cancer, became available for free for teenagers aged 10-18 years. Currently it is used a three shots vaccination plan, but there are ongoing meetings on cutting it down to a two shots plan, and in this case it’s efficiency is controversial.

New HPV Vaccine Dosage to Prevent Genital Warts

Swedish Patient Information to be Used for Reference

The team of researchers who currently lead the discussions, studied data from Swedish medical records of the girls between 10-24 years old to find out if two doses are as efficient as three doses. They divided the information upon 1 million girls, and vaccinations dates between 2006 and 2010, into groups of those vaccinated with a two shot plan, those with three shots and girls not vaccinated at all. The vaccine used by the Swedish doctors was Gardasil.

Cancer Research Cannot be Performed

Researchers had to resume on studies upon genital warts occurrence rate, even if the vaccine is used against cancer. This second disease takes more time to develop and there is no old enough information at this time to conduct such study.

Results Came up Clear Enough

In the studied group of girls, 8 out of 10 received three shots of the vaccine. During an almost 4 years period of time there were 20.000 registered cases of genital warts, which provide a pretty clear answer on the matter. There is a strong correlation between the number of shots and the level of disease occurrence rate.

Which One is Better?

A two shots plan provides good protection against HPV, on an average of 71% more protection than girls who didn’t receive any vaccine at all. However, three shots vaccination plan raises the protection to up to 82%. Based on these results, the team who conducted the study advises on a three shots vaccination plan for young women and teenagers, for better protection against the virus. As the vaccine is intended to protect women against developing cervical cancer, which is a severe disease, a better rate of protection from the three shots plan might go a long way and decrease the rate of women who fight cancer and number of deaths caused by cervical cancer