Question: Could you describe how exactly the HPV vaccine works? (Since you specialise or are interested in infant vaccines..junior, teens)

Sarah Burl answered on 16 Jun 2010:

The HPV vaccine is based on particles in the human papilloma virus that are made to induce a response to it without causing disease. this is the basis for most vaccines. There are different types of virus and the Cervarix vaccine targets the most common high-risk types which have been known to cause 70% of cervical cancers. There is two vaccines on the market and the other vaccine (Gardasil) targets another two types of viruses. The body responds by producing antibodies that stay around the body and are ready to act by neuatralising the infection if you get it later.
These vaccines have been shown to offer 100 percent protection against the development of cervical pre-cancers and genital warts caused by the HPV types in the vaccine, with few or no side effects.