What are the contraindications for the HPV vaccine?

What are the contraindications for the HPV vaccine?

• A. Pregnancy
• B. Allergic reactions to a previous HPV vaccine
• C. Yeast or latex
• D. Pregnancy; allergic reactions to a previous HPV vaccine; yeast or latex

Answer: (D)

Contraindications are conditions that make giving a vaccine unsafe. For the HPV vaccine, the strongest contraindications are a history of a severe allergic reaction to a previous HPV dose or to a component of the vaccine, and any condition that would raise risk from exposure to the vaccine’s production or packaging. The HPV vaccine is produced in yeast, so a severe yeast allergy is a specific contraindication. Packaging materials can contain latex, so a severe latex allergy also requires special handling or postponement. Pregnancy is another situation where vaccination is deferred, since data on safety in pregnancy are limited. Because all three scenarios—pregnancy, a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or its components (including yeast), and severe latex allergy—pose safety concerns, the option that includes all of these reflects the full range of contraindications.

Contraindications are conditions that make giving a vaccine unsafe. For the HPV vaccine, the strongest contraindications are a history of a severe allergic reaction to a previous HPV dose or to a component of the vaccine, and any condition that would raise risk from exposure to the vaccine’s production or packaging. The HPV vaccine is produced in yeast, so a severe yeast allergy is a specific contraindication. Packaging materials can contain latex, so a severe latex allergy also requires special handling or postponement. Pregnancy is another situation where vaccination is deferred, since data on safety in pregnancy are limited. Because all three scenarios—pregnancy, a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or its components (including yeast), and severe latex allergy—pose safety concerns, the option that includes all of these reflects the full range of contraindications.