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HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

HPV is a group of over 100 viruses of many different types. Some types can cause cancer and other health problems.source: 1 There is no way to know who will develop cancer or other problems from HPV, or how long HPV infections might last. Many people who get HPV have no symptoms, so they can spread it without knowing. HPV is very common in the United States—nearly 1 in 4 people have it.source: 2 HPV is spread through intimate contact. This includes any type of genital contact and even kissing.source: 3,source: 4

The HPV vaccine has the potential to prevent more than 90% of cancers caused by the viruses.source: 5

Why does my child need to be vaccinated against HPV?

HPV infections are so common that about 13 million Americans, including teens, get HPV every year.source: 6 The health problems from HPV can be serious. Each year in the United States, over 21,000 women and about 15,000 men get cancers from HPV infections.source: 7 Many of these cancers don't cause symptoms until they've gotten serious and hard to treat. And there is no way to know who will develop cancer from HPV.

How safe is the vaccine?

HPV vaccines have been administered and monitored in the United States since 2006. All the research shows the HPV vaccine is safe.source: 8

Like any medicine, there's a small chance that the HPV vaccine could cause other serious reactions. However, getting the HPV vaccine is much safer than getting cancer and some other diseases caused by an HPV infection.

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VPD HPV-teen girl and doctor

How effective is the vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is effective at preventing cancer and many other health problems caused by the virus. When a child is vaccinated in their early teens, the vaccine is about 99% effective at protecting against strains of HPV that cause most HPV-related cancers.source: 9,source: 10 HPV infections cause about 37,000 cancers each year.source: 7 The HPV vaccine can prevent 90% of them.source: 11

The United States started to use HPV vaccines in 2006. Since then, HPV infections that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped by 88% among teen girls.source: 5

What are the vaccine’s side effects? 

If side effects occur, they are usually mild and go away in a few days. They may include pain, redness, and swelling where the vaccine was given, fever, or headache.source: 8,source: 12

Understanding the Risks

Getting HPV vs. Getting Vaccinated

HPV

Vaccine to prevent HPV

Common: Mild to Moderate Symptoms or Side Effects

For most people, HPV will go away on its own and they may not even know they have it. But they can pass it on to others.

If side effects occur, they are usually mild and last 1–2 days:

  • Soreness, redness, or swelling where the vaccine was given
  • Fever
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Tiredness
  • Muscle or joint pain

Rare: More Serious Symptoms, Complications or Side Effects

  • Cervical cancer
  • Oropharyngeal cancers (throat, tongue, and tonsils)
  • Anal cancer
  • Penile cancer
  • Rectal cancer
  • Vaginal cancer
  • Vulvar cancer
  • Genital warts
  • Severe allergic reaction (generally, for every 1 million HPV vaccines administered in the United States, only about 3 doses will result in a severe allergic reaction)

I overcame my concerns about the HPV vaccine by doing research and talking to my doctor.

— Kimberli M., Mother

When does my child need the vaccine? 

Kids can get the vaccine as early as age 9, but the recommended age for getting the doses is age 11–12.source: 13 By getting the vaccine earlier rather than later, your child is protected before they could get HPV.source: 5 Also, if your child gets the vaccine now, they will only need two doses. If you wait until your child is older, they may end up needing three vaccines.source: 14 If your child didn’t get the HPV vaccine as a preteen, they should still get it, so they are protected against cancers from HPV. Kids can get the HPV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines.

Preteens and teens ages 9 through 14

2 doses of the HPV vaccine. The second dose should occur between 6 to 12 months after the first dose.

Catch Up: Teens and young adults ages 15–26

3 doses of the HPV vaccine. The extra dose provides similar protection as that given by the vaccine to children who were vaccinated on time.

More information

Learn more:

Sources

  1. FDA: HPV (human papillomavirus)
  2. OWH: HPV Vaccinations and Young Adults
  3. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: Human Papillomavirus Myths & FAQs | Understanding HPV
  4. Medline Plus: Oral human papillomavirus infection
  5. CDC: HPV Vaccination
  6. CDC: About HPV
  7. CDC: Cancers Linked With HPV Each Year
  8. CDC: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Safety
  9. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Human Papillomavirus Vaccination
  10. NCI: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccines
  11. CDC: Cancers Caused by HPV
  12. CDC: HPV Vaccine Safety and Effectiveness Data
  13. CDC: HPV Vaccination Recommendations
  14. CDC: Talking to Parents about HPV Vaccine
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