Human papillomavirus vaccine use in clinical practice - What dermatologists should know as health care providers

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is considered to be the most common sexually transmitted disease among both males and females, with an incidence of 14% in South-East Asia. Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer over the past years and the 3rd main cause of cancer-related mortality among adults. There is consensus that persistent high-risk HPV infection is necessary to cause cervical cancer. Vaccination is the best way to prevent HPV infection. Currently, bivalent, quadrivalent, and nonavalent vaccines are available. In this narrative review, information about different diseases caused by human papillomaviruses, role of HPV vaccines in prevention, and their role in the therapy of recalcitrant warts has been discussed. A systematic search of various databases and search engines such as Medline, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct was done. HPV vaccines play a preventive role against the HPV types present in the vaccine. Vaccinating girls and boys before sexual debut is anticipated to maximize disease control. The role of vaccines in older women is under evaluation. The role of HPV vaccines as therapeutic modality in recalcitrant warts has also been explored with encouraging results.