Safety and effectiveness analysis of the HPV vaccine: Comprehensive review

Cervical cancer has become a serious public health problem in Brazil, as it is a slow-developing disease with a high impact on prevalence and mortality rates, especially in women with lower social and economic status who are in the productive period of their lives. It can be triggered by persistent infection with oncogenic subtypes of the Human Papillomavirus, mainly 16 and 18. The objective of this narrative review was to analyze and review the main articles available on the safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine. This is a comprehensive review of the literature, with narrative synthesis. This methodological type allows a broader view of a given subject. From this study, it was possible to identify that the HPV vaccine is considered the most effective measure for the prevention of cervical cancer. It is safe, immunogenic and highly effective. Further studies are suggested in the future to improve understanding, as well as to disseminate information for health promotion.