If you could protect your child from getting cancer, wouldn’t you?
When it comes to HPV-related cancers, you can.
How to protect your child
You have the power to prevent your child from contracting an HPV-related cancer. The HPV vaccine is cancer prevention. All children should get the HPV vaccine series starting as early as age 9. The vaccine is most effective when given before age 13, before children are exposed to the HPV virus. For those who were not
vaccinated before age 13, the vaccine can be given up to age 26.
The HPV vaccine
The vaccine is given in 2–3 doses over several months. Those 14 or younger need 2 doses. After age 15, a third dose ensures full protection. Once your child has received the vaccine series, they are protected from HPV-related cancers which include cancers of the head, neck and genitals.
The HPV vaccine is nearly 100% effective at preventing
HPV-related infection, which can lead to cancer.
What is HPV?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that can cause cancers later in life. Nearly 42 million people are currently infected with HPV in the United States. About 13 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year. HPV is so common, scientists estimate between 85% of people will be infected with at least one type of HPV in their lifetime.
HPV usually has no symptoms, so most people don't know they have it. Most cases of HPV go away on their own, but other cases go on to cause health problems, including cancer.
HPV vaccination is the best protection
against certain cancers caused by HPV
- 14,800 cases Head and Neck Cancer No screenings available, not detectable until it causes serious health problems.
- 11,400 cases Genital cancer No screenings available, not detectable until it causes serious health problems.
- 10,800 cases Cervical cancer The only HPV-related cancer that can be screened for at an early stage, but can still cause serious health problems.
HPV vaccination
by age 13 could
prevent over 90%
of these cancers.
Annual cases, source: CDC
Vaccination prevents cancer
The HPV vaccine is proven to prevent cancer. Since 2006, when HPV vaccines were first used in the United States, infections among teen girls with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers have dropped 88%. Among vaccinated women, the percentage of cervical precancers caused by the HPV types most often linked to cervical cancer has dropped by 40%.
The HPV vaccine is expected to prevent:
- 70% of tongue and tonsil cancers
- 90% of cervical cancers
- 90% of anal cancers
- 40% of vaginal and vulvar cancers
- 60% of penile cancers
HPV vaccination could prevent more than 90% of cancers caused by HPV
Proven safe
Since the HPV vaccine became available in 2006, over 270 million doses have been distributed. The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) first reviewed the safety data in 2007, and continues to do so. GACVS considers the HPV vaccine to be extremely safe.
Proven effective
The vaccine is effective against the HPV types that cause the majority of related cancers and infections.
The “sex” issue
Some parents believe that if their child isn't sexually active, they do not need a vaccine for a virus that is predominantly spread through sexual activity. However, HPV is so common that your child will likely be exposed at some point in their life. Even if they engage in no sexual or intimate contact before marriage, their partner could have been exposed and still infect them years later. While you likely don’t want to think about your child’s future sex life, you can protect them today for an unknowable future.
Common questions
Why does my child need the HPV vaccine?
HPV is extremely common — most people will be exposed during their life — and it can cause cancer. By vaccinating your child, you can protect them from several types of cancer.
Is HPV vaccination safe?
More than 270 million doses of vaccine have been distributed worldwide, with more than 120 million doses in the United States. HPV vaccine safety is constantly monitored, and the studies continue to show that HPV vaccination is safe. All medications and vaccines can have side effects. Common side effects from the HPV vaccine are mild and can include headache, pain, and soreness in the area of the arm where the vaccine was given.
All ingredients in a vaccine undergo extensive testing before they are put into use. Like the Hepatitis B and Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) vaccines, the HPV vaccine contains aluminum, which boosts the body's immune response to the vaccine. People are exposed to aluminum every day through food and cooking utensils. Aluminum-containing vaccines have been used for decades and have safely been given to more than 3 billion people.
Does HPV vaccination cause fertility issues?
There is no evidence that HPV vaccination causes fertility or reproductive problems. In fact, getting vaccinated and protecting against cervical cancer can help ensure a woman's ability to get pregnant and have healthy babies.
If my child isn't sexually active, why do they need an HPV vaccine?
HPV is so common that almost everyone will be exposed at some point in their lives. For a vaccine to be effective, a person needs to receive it before they are exposed to an infection – just like with Measles or Pneumonia — so children need to be vaccinated against HPV infection before they become sexually active and are exposed to HPV. Vaccinating children between ages 9 and 12 offers the best immune response and HPV cancer prevention. So even if your child delays sexual activity until they are older, or limits sexual partnerships, they could still be exposed if their partner has been exposed.
Why does my son need an HPV vaccine?
The vaccine was first recommended for girls, but is now recommended for all children. Both males and females can get HPV and the cancers it causes. HPV is so common, 85% of people will be infected with it during their lifetime. The vaccine prevents both cervical and head and neck cancers. In fact, head and neck cancers are now more common than cervical cancer and are more likely to impact men.
How can a shot prevent cancer?
HPV vaccination is one of the rare opportunities we have to prevent cancer with a shot. (The other vaccine is the Hepatitis B vaccine which protects against liver cancer.) Research has shown that the HPV vaccine provides close to 100% protection against infections and pre-cancers caused by the types of Human Papillomavirus targeted by the vaccine.
Why does my child need all these shots now?
You can protect your child from many serious illnesses and diseases, including Meningitis, HPV cancers and Whooping Cough, by giving them vaccines. The timing of the vaccines matters as children need protection before they're exposed. The best time to get the HPV vaccine is between ages 9 and 12. This is because children have a stronger immune response. After age 15, they will need three doses to be fully protected.
Will my child have to keep getting the HPV vaccine?
No, once your child has received all doses of the vaccine, they are done and will have long-term protection against infections and pre-cancers.
How much does the HPV vaccine cost?
Like other vaccines, the HPV vaccine is covered by most insurance plans. There are resources to pay for vaccines if you are uninsured. See our "paying for the vaccine" section above.
Additional materials
This webpage was supported by the Nevada State Department of Health and Human Services through Grant Number 5-NH23IP922609-05-00 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department nor the CDC.
Why does my child need the HPV vaccine?
HPV is extremely common — most people will be exposed during their life — and it can cause cancer. By vaccinating your child, you can protect them from several types of cancer.
Is HPV vaccination safe?
More than 270 million doses of vaccine have been distributed worldwide, with more than 120 million doses in the United States. HPV vaccine safety is constantly monitored, and the studies continue to show that HPV vaccination is safe. All medications and vaccines can have side effects. Common side effects from the HPV vaccine are mild and can include headache, pain, and soreness in the area of the arm where the vaccine was given.
All ingredients in a vaccine undergo extensive testing before they are put into use. Like the Hepatitis B and Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) vaccines, the HPV vaccine contains aluminum, which boosts the body's immune response to the vaccine. People are exposed to aluminum every day through food and cooking utensils. Aluminum-containing vaccines have been used for decades and have safely been given to more than 3 billion people.
Does HPV vaccination cause fertility issues?
There is no evidence that HPV vaccination causes fertility or reproductive problems. In fact, getting vaccinated and protecting against cervical cancer can help ensure a woman's ability to get pregnant and have healthy babies.
If my child isn't sexually active, why do they need an HPV vaccine?
HPV is so common that almost everyone will be exposed at some point in their lives. For a vaccine to be effective, a person needs to receive it before they are exposed to an infection – just like with Measles or Pneumonia — so children need to be vaccinated against HPV infection before they become sexually active and are exposed to HPV. Vaccinating children between ages 9 and 12 offers the best immune response and HPV cancer prevention. So even if your child delays sexual activity until they are older, or limits sexual partnerships, they could still be exposed if their partner has been exposed.
Why does my son need an HPV vaccine?
The vaccine was first recommended for girls, but is now recommended for all children. Both males and females can get HPV and the cancers it causes. HPV is so common, 85% of people will be infected with it during their lifetime. The vaccine prevents both cervical and head and neck cancers. In fact, head and neck cancers are now more common than cervical cancer and are more likely to impact men.
How can a shot prevent cancer?
HPV vaccination is one of the rare opportunities we have to prevent cancer with a shot. (The other vaccine is the Hepatitis B vaccine which protects against liver cancer.) Research has shown that the HPV vaccine provides close to 100% protection against infections and pre-cancers caused by the types of Human Papillomavirus targeted by the vaccine.
Why does my child need all these shots now?
You can protect your child from many serious illnesses and diseases, including Meningitis, HPV cancers and Whooping Cough, by giving them vaccines. The timing of the vaccines matters as children need protection before they're exposed. The best time to get the HPV vaccine is between ages 9 and 12. This is because children have a stronger immune response. After age 15, they will need three doses to be fully protected.
Will my child have to keep getting the HPV vaccine?
No, once your child has received all doses of the vaccine, they are done and will have long-term protection against infections and pre-cancers.
How much does the HPV vaccine cost?
Like other vaccines, the HPV vaccine is covered by most insurance plans. There are resources to pay for vaccines if you are uninsured. See our "paying for the vaccine" section above.