What to pay attention to when getting the HPV vaccine

"Doctor, can I get the HPV vaccine while I have my period?" "Can I shower after vaccination? Are there dietary restrictions?" Every vaccination day, the clinic is surrounded by these specific questions — many people know "it's better to get the 9-valent before age 26," but they overlook key details before and after vaccination, either wasting a trip or compromising effectiveness through improper actions. Today, as a gynecologist, I break down the 7 core precautions for "before — during — after" vaccination, avoiding repeated explanations about vaccine valency, and focusing on practical, directly usable tips.

Key point first: the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine depends not only on "choosing the right valency" but also on "standardized administration + attention to details." 24-year-old Xiao Wang delayed his second dose because of an "infection after showering the same day as vaccination," and 30-year-old Ms. Li had her antibody response affected because she "misremembered the dose interval" — these errors could have been avoided.

1. Before vaccination: 3 preparatory details — don't go for nothing

"Testing for HPV first is not mandatory, but mention any relevant conditions in advance"

Many people think "you can't get the vaccine without an HPV test," but that's incorrect: people who have not had sexual activity can be vaccinated directly; those who have had sexual activity can test for HPV to find out if they are already infected. However, even if infected, the vaccine still protects against HPV types the person has not yet acquired, so there is no need to wait for a negative test result before vaccinating.

Exception: if a "high-grade cervical lesion" has been detected, treat it first and then vaccinate to avoid affecting vaccine effectiveness. Xiao Zhang, age 28, was found to have a CIN2 lesion, underwent cone excision first, and received the quadrivalent vaccine 3 months later; antibody levels fully met the standards.

"Report allergic tendencies in advance, especially yeast allergy"

HPV vaccines (especially the bivalent and quadrivalent) contain yeast components. If you are allergic to yeast (for example, develop a rash after eating bread or drinking beer), or have had a severe allergic reaction to other vaccines (such as anaphylactic shock), you must tell the doctor in advance. These conditions are contraindications to vaccination; do not force it.

"Avoid the acute illness phase; menstruation is not a contraindication"

Do not vaccinate when you have a fever (>38.5°C), acute gastroenteritis, or a severe cold, as being physically weak can worsen side effects. However, you can be vaccinated during menstruation as long as you do not have severe dysmenorrhea or dizziness; it will not affect vaccine efficacy nor worsen menstrual discomfort.

2. During vaccination: 2 key details — affect effectiveness

"Remember the dosing intervals; do not change the schedule casually"

Different vaccines have different intervals; changing the schedule can affect antibody production:

Bivalent vaccine: 0-1-6 months (second dose 1 month after the first, third dose 5 months after the second);

Quadrivalent / Nonavalent vaccine: 0-2-6 months (second dose 2 months after the first, third dose 4 months after the second);

You can delay by at most 1 month. For example, if the second nonavalent dose is due, you can delay it at most until 3 months; do not give it earlier, and do not delay more than 1 month.

"Choose the correct injection site; if it hurts, don't rub"

The vaccine should be administered into the deltoid muscle of the upper left arm (intramuscular), not subcutaneously, otherwise absorption is poor; if it hurts after injection you can apply cold compresses (wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply for 15 minutes), do not rub vigorously to avoid worsening redness and swelling.

3. After vaccination: 2 pitfalls to avoid — don't worry unnecessarily

"Minor side effects are not a cause for alarm; seek care promptly for severe reactions"

Common side effects are "redness and swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever (<38.5°C), fatigue", which usually resolve in 1–2 days and do not require medication; if high fever (>38.5°C), severe rash, or difficulty breathing occurs, go to the hospital immediately—this is a rare allergic reaction, do not tough it out.

"Don't avoid foods or stop bathing, but don't do these 3 things"

No need to avoid spicy food or seafood: the vaccine does not contain "trigger" substances; a normal diet does not affect efficacy, so don't starve yourself because of dietary restrictions;

Wait 24 hours to bathe: do not let the injection site get wet on the day of vaccination to avoid infection; normal washing is fine after 24 hours;

Don't assume "vaccinated means no screening": the vaccine protects against at most 9 HPV types and cannot cover all strains. People aged over 21 who are sexually active still need an annual TCT; after age 30 add HPV testing — this is the most critical "pitfall" to avoid!

Sister Zhao, 35, received the 9-valent vaccine and did not undergo screening for three years; later she tested positive for HPV58 (not covered by the 9-valent), but fortunately it was detected in time and there were no lesions.

Finally: 3 summary sentences to remember so you don't make mistakes

Check ingredients for allergies, don’t vaccinate with acute illness, can be vaccinated during menstruation;

Don’t change the interval arbitrarily, don’t rub the injection site if it swells, monitor body temperature for side effects;

No dietary restrictions, you can bathe, don’t skip screening.

Actually there aren’t that many “rules” for getting the HPV vaccine — the key is to handle the details of “allergy, interval, screening” properly, and don’t delay vaccination because of excessive anxiety. If you can book the vaccine now, prepare according to the details above — one day earlier of vaccination equals one more day of protection. Your cervical health is more important than agonizing over “small details”!