What to check before getting the cervical cancer vaccine

Before getting the cervical cancer vaccine, it is usually necessary to check the HPV infection status, pregnancy status, allergy history, immune function and recent medication history.

HPV infection status examination mainly uses HPV-DNA testing or cervical cytology examination to confirm whether there is high-risk HPV infection. If you have been infected with a specific type of HPV, the vaccine's protective effect against that type will be reduced, but vaccination can still protect against other uninfected types. Pregnancy status check: Use urine pregnancy test or blood HCG test to rule out pregnancy. Because the safety of the vaccine to the fetus is not yet completely clear, vaccination should be postponed during pregnancy. Allergy history should focus on asking about allergic reactions to vaccine components such as yeast and aluminum adjuvants. People with severe allergies may need to adjust the vaccination plan. Immune function assessment includes asking about HIV infection, long-term use of immunosuppressants, etc. People with low immune function may produce insufficient immune responses. It is necessary to pay attention to the use of immune globulin or blood products in the recent medication history. Such products may interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccine. It is recommended to wait for more than 3 months before vaccination.

Get enough sleep before vaccination and avoid vaccination on an empty stomach. You need to stay under observation for 30 minutes after vaccination, avoid strenuous exercise that day, and keep the injection site clean and dry. If there is local redness, swelling and pain, you can apply cold compress. If the fever exceeds 38.5℃, you can use antipyretics as directed by your doctor. It is recommended to complete the full vaccination program and undergo regular cervical cancer screening, as the vaccine cannot prevent all high-risk HPV types. It is still necessary to practice safe sex after vaccination and use condoms to further reduce the risk of infection.