Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that can lead to certain types of cancers in both men and women. However, sometimes, HPV does not cause any immediate symptoms, so those who have HPV may not know it until cancer has developed years, or even decades, later. Because of this, medical experts recommend that children 9 to 12 years of age and older get vaccinated against HPV, before they are likely to be exposed to the virus.
Here’s why it’s important to choose to protect your preteen or teen from HPV:
HPV vaccination is cancer prevention.
HPV can cause cancers of the penis, anus, cervix, vagina, vulva, and throat, including the tongue and tonsils. With more than nine of every 10 cases of cervical cancer caused by HPV, nearly all cervical cancer could be prevented by HPV vaccination.
This vaccine protects against nine HPV types and six kinds of cancer. As a result, HPV infections and cervical precancers (abnormal cells on the cervix that can lead to cancer) have dropped significantly since the vaccine has been in use. Among teen girls, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers have dropped 86 percent since the HPV vaccine became available.
Both males and females can get cancer from HPV.
It’s important to know that HPV affects men and women. In fact, more than four out of every 10 cases of cancer caused by HPV occur among men.
HPV vaccination helps protect males from cancers of the throat (including the tongue and tonsils), penis, and anus later in adult life. HPV vaccination helps protect girls from cancers of the throat, cervix, vagina, vulva, and anus later in adult life as well.
Vaccinating preteens and teens against HPV now prevents cancer later.
Vaccines are for prevention, not treatment. HPV vaccination prevents new HPV infections but does not treat existing HPV infections or any disease that has already been caused by HPV. Like other vaccines, the HPV vaccine works best when given before exposure to the virus.
Leading public health and medical experts recommend HPV vaccination for boys and girls 9-12 years of age and older, to prevent HPV infections that may lead to cancer. This age range is ideal because it is typically when the immune system is the most receptive to HPV vaccination, building the strongest protection against HPV before possible exposure to the virus. Therefore, it’s important that parents and caregivers choose to vaccinate their preteens or teens against HPV before they may be exposed to the virus.
HPV vaccination is safe, effective, and provides lasting protection against the negative health outcomes that HPV commonly causes, such as cancer and genital warts.
Two doses before age fifteen; three if started after.
Completing the HPV vaccine series is essential to build maximum protection against HPV and the cancers it causes. Children who receive the HPV vaccine prior to their 15th birthday are recommended to get only two doses of the vaccine. The second dose of HPV vaccine should be given six to 12 months after the first dose. If the vaccine is started at age 15 or later, then the HPV vaccines are given in a series of three shots over a six-month period.
In West Virginia, teens can receive HPV vaccines at their healthcare providers’ office, a community health center, the local health department, pharmacies (a prescription may be needed), and at most school-based health clinics.
Most health insurance plans cover HPV vaccination. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program also provides vaccines for children and adolescents 18 years and younger who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible, American Indian, or Alaska Native. Contact your local health department for more information about the VFC program.
For more information about vaccines, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents or contact a healthcare provider.