What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cancers of the cervix, vagina, and vulva in women, cancer of the penis in men, and cancers of the anus and the mouth or throat in both women and men. There are about 26,000 of these cancers each year—and most could be prevented with HPV vaccine. There are also many more precancerous conditions requiring treatment that can have lasting effects.
HPV is so common that almost everyone will be infected at some point. It is estimated that 79 million Americans are currently infected with 14 million new HPV infections each year. HPV is usually spread through sexual contact.Most people infected will never know. So even if your son/daughter waits until marriage to have sex, or only has one partner in the future, he/she could still be exposed if their partner has been exposed.
There is no cure for HPV infection, but some of the problems it causes can be treated.
HPV vaccine: Why get vaccinated?
The Gardasil HPV vaccine is one of two vaccines that can be given to prevent HPV and the cancers it causes. It is given to both males and females.
This vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer in females, if it is given before exposure to the virus. In addition, it can prevent vaginal and vulvar cancer in females, and genital warts and anal cancer in both males and females.
Protection from HPV vaccine is expected to be long lasting. But vaccination is not a substitute for cervical cancer screening. Women should still get regular Pap tests.
Who should get this HPV vaccine and when?
HPV vaccine is given as a 3-dose series
- 1st Dose: Now
- 2nd Dose: 1 to 2 months after Dose 1
- 3rd Dose: 6 months after Dose 1
Additional (booster) doses are not recommended.
- This HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and boys 11 or 12 years of age. It may be given starting at age 9.
Why is HPV vaccine recommended at 11 or 12 years of age?
Response to the vaccine is better at this age than at older ages. We vaccinate at this age so children will have the best protection possible long before the start of any kind of sexual activity. We vaccinate people well before they are exposed to an infection, as is the case with measles and the other recommended childhood vaccines. Similarly, we want to vaccinate children well before they get exposed to HPV.
This vaccine is recommended for the following people who have not completed the 3-dose series:
- Females 13 through 26 years of age.
- Males 13 through 21 years of age.
This vaccine may be given to men 22 through 26 years of age who have not completed the 3-dose series.
It is recommended for men through age 26 who have sex with men or whose immune system is weakened because of HIV infection, other illness, or medications.
HPV vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.
Some people should not get HPV vaccine or should wait.
- Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any component of HPV vaccine, or to a previous dose of HPV vaccine, should not get the vaccine. Tell your doctor if the person getting vaccinated has any severe allergies, including an allergy to yeast.
- HPV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. However, receiving HPV vaccine when pregnant is not a reason to consider terminating the pregnancy. Women who are breastfeeding may get the vaccine.
- People who are mildly ill when a dose of HPV vaccine is planned can still be vaccinated. People with a moderate or severe illness should wait until they are better.
What are the risks from this vaccine?
This HPV vaccine has been used in the U.S. and around the world for about nine years and has been very safe.
However, any medicine could possibly cause a serious problem, such as a severe allergic reaction. The risk of any vaccine causing a serious injury, or death, is extremely small.
Life-threatening allergic reactions from vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it would be within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.
Several mild to moderate problems are known to occur with this HPV vaccine. These do not last long and go away on their own.
- Reactions in the arm where the shot was given:
- Pain (about 8 people in 10)
- Redness or swelling (about 1 person in 4)
- Mild (100° F) (about 1 person in 10)
- Moderate (102° F) (about 1 person in 65)
- Other problems:
- Brief fainting spells and related symptoms (such as jerking movements) can happen after any medical procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes after a vaccination can help prevent fainting and injuries caused by falls. Tell your doctor if the patient feels dizzy or light-headed, or has vision changes or ringing in the ears. Like all vaccines, HPV vaccines will continue to be monitored for unusual or severe problems.
What if there is a serious reaction?
What should I look for?
- Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or behavior changes.
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These
would start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.
What should I do?
- If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other emergency that can’t wait, call 9-1-1 or get the person to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.
- Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your doctor might file this report, or you can do it
yourself through the VAERS web site a www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
VAERS is only for reporting reactions. They do not give medical advice.
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines.
Persons who believe they may have been injured by a vaccine can learn about the program and about filing a claim by calling 1-800-338-2382 or visiting the VICP website a www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation.
How can I learn more?
- Ask your doctor.
- Call your local or state health department.
- Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):