Blog Archive
HPV Vaccine is Cancer Prevention
HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It's the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV is usually harmless and goes away by itself, but some types can lead to cancer or genital warts.
Who and When?
Children ages 11-12 years should get two doses of HPV vaccine, given 6 to 12 months apart. HPV vaccines can be given starting at age 9 years.Children who start the HPV vaccine series on or after their 15th birthday need three doses, given over 6 months. If your teen isn't vaccinated yet, talk to their doctor about doing so as soon as possible. Teens and young adults should be vaccinated too Everyone through age 26 years should get HPV vaccine if they were not fully vaccinated already. HPV vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years.
Is it Affective?
HPV infections and cervical precancers (abnormal cells on the cervix that can lead to cancer) have dropped since 2006, when HPV vaccines were first used in the United States.
• Among teen girls, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 88 percent.
• Among young adult women, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 81 percent.
• Among vaccinated women, the percentage of cervical precancers caused by the HPV types most often linked to cervical cancer has dropped by 40 percent.
HPV vaccination is very safe. Over 15 years of monitoring have shown that HPV vaccines are very safe and effective. Like all vaccines, scientists continue to monitor HPV vaccines to ensure they are safe and effective.
Children ages 11-12 years should get two doses of HPV vaccine, given 6 to 12 months apart. HPV vaccines can be given starting at age 9 years.Children who start the HPV vaccine series on or after their 15th birthday need three doses, given over 6 months. If your teen isn't vaccinated yet, talk to their doctor about doing so as soon as possible. Teens and young adults should be vaccinated too Everyone through age 26 years should get HPV vaccine if they were not fully vaccinated already. HPV vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years.
Is it Affective?
HPV infections and cervical precancers (abnormal cells on the cervix that can lead to cancer) have dropped since 2006, when HPV vaccines were first used in the United States.
• Among teen girls, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 88 percent.
• Among young adult women, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 81 percent.
• Among vaccinated women, the percentage of cervical precancers caused by the HPV types most often linked to cervical cancer has dropped by 40 percent.
HPV vaccination is very safe. Over 15 years of monitoring have shown that HPV vaccines are very safe and effective. Like all vaccines, scientists continue to monitor HPV vaccines to ensure they are safe and effective.
