Last reviewed 2026-04-23 · How we verify

Cervarix vaccine

Induces immune response against human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18

Induces immune response against human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 Used for Prevention of cervical cancer caused by HPV types 16 and 18.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Cervarix vaccine works by stimulating the body's immune system to produce antibodies against HPV types 16 and 18, which can cause cervical cancer.

Approved indications

• Prevention of cervical cancer caused by HPV types 16 and 18

Common side effects

• Pain, redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site
• Fatigue
• Headache

Key clinical trials

• Single-Dose HPV Vaccination for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer in Young Adult Women in Costa Rica, The PRISMA ESCUDDO Trial (PHASE4)
• A Dose Reduction Immunobridging and Safety Study of Two HPV Vaccines in Tanzanian Girls (PHASE3)
• Comparing One or Two Doses of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine for the Prevention of Human Papillomavirus Infection, ESCUDDO Study (PHASE4)
• Safety and Effects of Using Prime-boost HIVIS DNA and MVA-CMDR Vaccine Regimens With or Without Toll-like Receptor 4 Agonist on HIV Reservoirs in Perinatally HIV Infected Children and Youth (PHASE1)
• Single Dose of Cervarix Vaccine in Girls or Three Doses of Gardasil Vaccine in Women for the Prevention of Human Papillomavirus Infection, the PRIMAVERA-ESCUDDO Trial (PHASE3)
• Transmission Reduction and Prevention With HPV Vaccination (TRAP-HPV) Study (PHASE4)
• Normalizing Antibody Detection in First-void Urine
• The KEN SHE Study on HPV-vaccine Efficacy (PHASE4)

Primary sources

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