Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination in Special Risk Groups

A research project is currently being undertaken looking at Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination in special risk groups. It aims to see if young women with a chronic illness respond well to the HPV vaccine or whether they may require additional doses to ensure protective immunity. The four valent HPV vaccine protects against HPV types 16 & 18, cervical cancer and HPV types 6 & 11, anogenital warts. The six special risk groups include: Paediatric Rheumatalogical Disease Inflammatory Bowel Disease Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Solid Organ Transplant Recipients (kidney and liver) Chronic Renal Disease Bone Marrow Transplants This immunity is measured by antibody levels of the HPV types, which requires a single blood test one month after the final dose of HPV vaccine. This is compared to healthy controls using antibody response to HPV vaccine. This will assess directly whether these special risk groups respond as well to the HPV vaccine.