HPV Vaccine

Help prevent your child from getting certain types of cancer later in life, and talk to your child's healthcare provider about the HPV vaccine.

Keeping your child safe and healthy is one of your greatest concerns as a parent. So, what if you could help prevent your child from getting cancer when they’re older? You can – by getting them vaccinated against HPV.

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What is HPV?

HPV (human papillomavirus) is an infection nearly 85 percent of people will get at some point in their life. For most, this virus will go away on its own. But for some, the infection won’t clear and may cause certain types of cancer years later, including:

  • Cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer in women
  • Penile cancer in men
  • Anal cancer in men and women
  • Oropharyngeal (throat) cancers in men and women

Since HPV is spread through sexual contact, it’s recommended adolescents get vaccinated before becoming sexually active and having exposure to the virus. That way the vaccine has time to build immunity and offer the greatest protection throughout their lives.

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When to Get the HPV Vaccine

Everyone through age 26 should get the HPV vaccine if not fully vaccinated already. This includes:

  • Both girls and boys should get the HPV vaccine.
  • The ideal time to get this vaccine is 11-12 years of age. The earlier children and adolescents get the vaccine, the more effective it is.
  • If you're an adult, you can still get an HPV vaccine.
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HPV Vaccine for Cancer Prevention

Every year, approximately 13 million Americans, including teens, become infected with HPV. But since the vaccine was introduced in the United States in 2006, HPV infections, genital warts and cervical precancers have dropped greatly. 

  • Most people don’t know when they have HPV – and it can be spread even when a person has no signs or symptoms of the virus.
  • HPV causes cancer in nearly 36,500 Americans yearly.
  • The HPV vaccine can prevent 33,700 of these cancers by preventing the infections that cause them.
  • Infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 88% among teen girls and 81% among young adult women.
  • The percentage of cervical precancers caused by the HPV types most often linked to cervical cancer have dropped by 40 percent among vaccinated women.
  • Additionally, a 10-year longitudinal study found the vaccine had an 85.6 percent efficacy rate at preventing HPV infection among men.
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HPV Vaccine is Safe

More than 135 million vaccine doses have been given in the United States, with no serious safety concerns associated with it.

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Hear first-hand what it’s like to have an HPV-related cancer and why getting the HPV vaccine is so important.

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