The HPV Vaccine

People get HPV infections by having intimate contact with someone who is infected. That includes touching genitals and having vaginal, anal, and oral sex. But there is a way to prevent infection: the HPV vaccine.

The HPV vaccine is one of the immunizations that the CDC recommends to protect children, adolescents, and young adults from preventable diseases.

It comes as a series of 2 or 3 shots, depending on the age of the person who's getting the vaccine.

Your healthcare provider gives the shot in the muscle of your upper arm. Children can have it at the same time that they get other recommended vaccines. 

How Safe Is the HPV Vaccine?

The vaccine is very safe and generally well tolerated. You may have some soreness or redness at the injection site, but that's common with all vaccines.

The HPV vaccine is an important breakthrough: it effectively prevents people from getting serious diseases, like genital warts and some types of cancer. 

Who Should Get the HPV Vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is approved for boys and girls ages 9 through 26 years. The CDC recommends that all girls and boys be routinely vaccinated starting at age 11 or 12 years. 

The HPV Vaccine and Your Child

There are many vaccines that children and adolescents get to prevent diseases. The HPV vaccine is no different from them.

Unlike many infections, HPV often has no symptoms, so you don't know if you've been infected. It can cause disease many years later.

People who get the vaccine before they become sexually active will be the most protected from HPV. 

Why Should I, My Child, or Someone I Know Get the HPV Vaccine?

The HPV vaccine prevents serious diseases that infection with the virus can cause, like genital warts and some types of cancer. In some people, the infection can turn into cancer over time.

Importantly, prevention of HPV infection is prevention of cervical cancer in women, genital (penis) cancer in men, and other forms of cancer (anus, oral) in both men and women.

 

Are There Other Ways to Prevent HPV Infection?

You might think that not having vaginal or anal sex, or using condoms when you do, protects you from HPV. But even skin-to-skin contact that involves the genital and anal areas, even without penetration, can transmit HPV.

Also, HPV infections can be found in the throat, so oral sex can spread the virus.

The HPV vaccine is a highly effective way to protect against HPV infection!

Get the Facts About the HPV Vaccine

Here are some truths about the HPV vaccine:

• It doesn't cause children to start having sex, but it protects them when they do
• The earlier you get the vaccination, the greater your protection if you're exposed to HPV later
• It protects against high-risk HPV types that cause most cervical cancers
• It doesn't have serious side effects, but it may cause mild dizziness, nausea, or fever
• It doesn't make people faint, but the fear of needles may! Plus, you can avoid feeling faint by sitting or lying down for a few minutes after the injection
  

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider About the HPV Vaccine

Here are some questions you might want to ask:

• Why should I or my children get the HPV vaccine?
• How many doses should I or my children get?
• Why do boys need the vaccine?
• Why shouldn't I wait until my children are older to vaccinate them?
• I've heard the vaccine is safe, but tell me more