Each year, an estimated 13 million Americans, including teenagers, become infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And before 2006, there was no preventive protection from the virus or the potential health complications an infection can cause. Now we have protection against HPV thanks to a vaccine.

The HPV vaccine can help prevent serious diseases, such as throat cancer, cervical cancer and more. Keep reading to learn more about the HPV vaccine – what it is, when you should get it and how safe it is.

What is the HPV vaccine?

In 2006, after more than 15 years of monitoring and research, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first HPV vaccine. According to the CDC, the HPV vaccine offers long-lasting protection against the virus. Vaccinated individuals were followed for at least 12 years, and there were no signs that their protection against HPV was decreasing over time.

Why the HPV vaccine is recommended

HPV infections are common. Sexual contact is the most common way that HPV is transmitted. But while it’s less common, HPV can be transmitted through nonsexual contact, including deep open-mouth kissing and skin-to-skin contact with an infected area. It’s extremely rare for HPV to be transmitted through contaminated surfaces, like sharing a water bottle.

There are more than 150 types of HPV that we know of, and most HPV infections go away on their own. However, there are nine types of HPV that most commonly cause cancer and genital warts. Because of the vaccines that are currently available in the U.S., these diseases are preventable if the vaccine is given before exposure to the virus.

The CDC estimates that HPV is responsible for more than 90% of anal and cervical cancers, 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers, and 60% of penile cancers. These numbers would be lower if every child and young adult was vaccinated against HPV.

Is the HPV vaccine safe and effective?

Yes. The CDC says the vaccine is highly immunogenic. This means that the vaccine has a strong ability to induce an immune response to fight against HPV infections.

Just like all other vaccines, the CDC and FDA regularly monitor its safety and how well it’s working. Since its introduction, there’s been an 88% decline in HPV in teenage girls and an 81% decline in adult women, according to data from the CDC.

One month after completing the vaccine series, you’d be included in the more than 98% of vaccine recipients who develop an antibody response to the HPV types they were vaccinated against. Your body will be equipped to fight infections in the anus and oral regions, as well as cervical, vulvar and vaginal infections and precancers caused by the nine cancer-causing HPV types.

The HPV vaccine is 97% effective when you follow vaccination recommendations

The HPV vaccine is effective, especially if you and your doctor follow recommendations of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP is a group of medical and public health officials who review and analyze research to recommend all adult and childhood vaccine dosing and immunization schedules. Their recommendations are why you were likely vaccinated against diseases such as hepatitis B and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) before you were 18 months old. The HPV vaccine schedule is listed later in this post.

Who should get the HPV vaccine?

The CDC routinely recommends that children ages 11-12 should get the vaccine, but they can start as early as 9 years old. So long as they’re within the age range of 9 to 26 years old, even people with an HPV infection or abnormal Pap test result should receive the HPV vaccine.

Why the HPV vaccine is recommended for children

HPV is an infection that is most commonly passed through vaginal, anal and oral sex. It’s no surprise that there’s some confusion as to why the vaccine is recommended for young children – there are two reasons for that.

First, it’s best to give the HPV vaccine before children become sexually active. This can be a tough topic for parents, but it’s a reality. Once anyone engages in sexual activity, they risk exposing themselves to HPV. Vaccination is one way to keep your children safe.

Second, the vaccine is most effective when given at younger ages. A study in Sweden found that HPV vaccination reduced the risk of cervical cancer by 63% in women who received the vaccine compared to those who didn’t. The efficacy was even higher (almost 90%) for women who were vaccinated at a younger age, before they were likely to have been exposed to HPV.

Plus, the timing makes it convenient because you can schedule to have it done at the same time as the other recommended preteen vaccines, like the Tdap booster shot and meningitis vaccine.

The HPV vaccine is still effective after age 12 and is recommended for adults up to 26 years old and, in some cases, up to 45 years old.

Females and males should both get vaccinated

The CDC predicts that everyone will get HPV at some point in their lives. The incidence of HPV-related cancers is approximately 13 in every 100,000 people, and more than half of those cases are cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine not only helps prevent HPV-related cancers, but it can also help reduce the need for women to undergo minimally invasive procedures, such as laser therapy and cryotherapy, after their pelvic exams.

The HPV vaccine helps:

  • Prevent HPV infections. The HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing infections with high-risk HPV types (especially HPV 16 and 18) that are responsible for the majority of cervical dysplasia (precancerous changes) and cervical cancer cases.
  • Reduce abnormal Pap tests. By preventing high-risk HPV infections, the vaccine reduces the incidence of abnormal Pap test results, which often lead to further diagnostic procedures, like colposcopies and biopsies.
  • Lower rates of cervical dysplasia. With fewer high-risk HPV infections, there are fewer cases of cervical dysplasia that require treatment. This means less need for procedures, such as laser therapy and cryotherapy, which are used to treat high-grade cervical dysplasia.
  • Improve overall cervical health. In general, vaccinated women have a lower risk of developing HPV-related cervical abnormalities, leading to fewer follow-up treatments and interventions.

Because of its preventive effects against the primary cause of cervical abnormalities, the HPV vaccine contributes to a significant decrease in the need for these invasive, although minimal, treatments.

However, HPV isn’t “just a girl thing.” Most HPV infections don’t cause cancer, and the ones that do can cause more than cervical cancer. In males, HPV can cause penile, anal and throat cancers, with more than 60% of penile cancers being caused by HPV.

You may have heard that when the HPV vaccine first came out, it wasn’t recommended for boys. That was because the infection was associated with cervical cancer and males don’t have a cervix. As more research was done on the effects of HPV on males, the vaccine recommendation expanded to include males in 2010.

Who should not get the HPV vaccine

Although the vaccine is approved by the FDA for people up to age 45, it’s not necessarily recommended because adults have likely already been exposed to the virus. The vaccine should also not be given to people who are pregnant or have a yeast allergy.

HPV vaccine schedule by age and number of doses

Getting the HPV vaccine is your first step in protecting against HPV infections and certain types of cancers, particularly cervical cancer. If you want to get the best protection against HPV, here is the specific vaccine and dosage schedule to follow. Talk to your doctor about the best HPV vaccine course for you.

HPV vaccine schedule for 9 to 14-year-olds

Parents and doctors can agree to have a child vaccinated as early as 9 years old, but the routinely recommended age is 11-12 years old with the following doses:

  • First dose: Between 11 and 12 years old
  • Second dose: Six to 12 months after the first dose
  • Third dose: Required if the first and second doses are received less than five months apart

If a teenager or young adult receives the first dose before their 15th birthday, they only need two doses of the vaccine.

HPV vaccine schedule for 15 to 26-year-olds

  • First dose: Between 15 and 26 years old
  • Second dose: One to two months after the first dose
  • Third dose: 12 weeks after the second dose

There should be at least five months between when the first and third doses are received. The three-dose schedule is recommended for people 15 to 26 years old, as well as immunocompromised people 9 to 26 years old.

HPV vaccine schedule for 27 to 45-year-olds

The older you get, the more likely it is that you’ve been exposed to HPV, which makes the vaccine less effective. After talking to your doctor, if they decide the HPV vaccine is right for you, adults 27 to 45 years old should also follow the three-dose schedule:

  • First dose: Between 27 and 45 years old
  • Second dose: One to two months after the first dose
  • Third dose: 12 weeks after the second dose

Types of HPV vaccines

There are three HPV vaccines that are approved by the FDA. Like most vaccines, it’s a shot given in the arm and protects you from certain types of HPV that are known to cause cancer and genital warts. While all three can protect you against HPV, Gardasil 9 is the most commonly used in the U.S.

Gardasil 9

Since 2016, Gardasil 9 is the only HPV vaccine used in the United States on people ages 9 to 45. The “9” in its name indicates that it can protect you from the nine types of HPV that can cause cancer and genital warts.

Gardasil

The Gardasil vaccine was the first FDA-approved HPV vaccine. It protects against four HPV strains – 6, 11, 16 and 18. Although it’s effective, it’s no longer used in the United States, having been slowly phased out and then replaced after the December 2014 approval of Gardasil 9.

Cervarix

Cervarix is an FDA-approved vaccine for HPV that can only protect you from infections caused by HPV types 16 and 18. While Gardasil offers protection to a larger age group of both women and men, Cervarix is only recommended for females 9 to 25 years old.

Possible HPV vaccine side effects are mild and temporary

Similar to other vaccines, the most common side effect people may notice is warmth, swelling and some soreness at the injection spot. Your clinic will have your child stay seated for around 15 minutes until they’re sure your child won’t experience any adverse reactions.

Since vaccines are designed to trigger an immune response, other temporary side effects can include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Tiredness
  • Nausea
  • Muscle or joint pain

How much does the HPV vaccine cost?

Most private insurance plans cover the HPV vaccine (with no copay or deductible). If you have Medicaid, the vaccine will be covered as long as it aligns with ACIP recommendations.

If you’re unsure, check with your insurance provider regarding your options for coverage.

Get vaccinated from HPV to protect yourself and others

HPV has a high rate of infection, and the vaccine can protect you and your loved ones. Vaccination starts young with the routinely recommended age being 11-12 years old, and by sticking to vaccination guidelines, you can guard against many HPV symptoms and HPV-caused cancers. Talk to your doctor about the recommended vaccination schedule.