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.