HPV Vaccines

The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine helps protect against the 6 types of cancer that can result from an HPV infection. Get answers to the most common questions asked about the HPV vaccine, including how effective and safe it is and when children should get vaccinated.

How effective is the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is very effective. Studies have shown that when the vaccine is given on time, it protects against the HPV types that cause 90% of HPV cancers as well as 90% of genital warts. In doing so, it provides near-total protection against HPV cancers and precancers.

Who should get it?

All children and young adults should get the HPV vaccine. The vaccine provides the best protection when given between the ages of 9 and 12.

Because many young adults have already been exposed to the high-risk HPV types that the vaccine protects against, vaccination of young adults will not prevent as many cancers as vaccination of children and teens.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends:

• Girls and boys should get 2 doses of the HPV vaccine between the ages of 9 and 12.
• Teens and young adults ages 13 through 26 who have not been vaccinated, or who have not gotten all their doses, should get the vaccine as soon as possible.
• ACS does not recommend HPV vaccination for people older than age 26 years.

How is it given?

Each vaccine is given in a series of injections (shots). A person needs either 2 or 3 injections, depending on their age. These are most often given in the muscle of the upper arm. Research is being done on whether giving just 1 dose of HPV vaccine is enough to provide adequate protection.

To best protect against cancer, the vaccine should be given between the ages of 9 and 12. This is before most people are exposed to the HPV types that can cause genital warts and cancer.

Can the HPV vaccine treat an HPV infection?

The HPV vaccine cannot treat an HPV infection a person already has and cannot make it go away. That means that if someone is already infected with a certain HPV type, getting the vaccine cannot protect against the cancers known to be caused by that HPV type. However, the vaccine can protect against other high-risk HPV types that someone has not yet been infected with, and the cancers they can cause.

Which HPV types and cancers does the vaccine protect against?

Gardasil 9 is the only HPV vaccine available in the US. Other HPV vaccines are available outside the US, but these don’t protect against as many types of HPV.

The Gardasil 9 vaccine helps prevent infection from 9 HPV types.

• HPV types that cause genital warts: HPV 6 and 11
• HPV types that cause most HPV cancers: HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58

HPV 16 and HPV 18 are the HPV types that cause most cervical cancers and precancers, as well as many cancers of the anus, penis, vulva, vagina, and throat (oropharynx).

Research is being done to test vaccines that aim to protect against other cancer-causing types of HPV as well.

Is the HPV vaccine safe?

The HPV vaccine is safe. HPV vaccines have been used since 2006. These vaccines went through extensive safety testing before becoming available. Hundreds of millions of doses of the HPV vaccine have been given worldwide.

Safety of vaccine ingredients

Like with all vaccines, the ingredients in the HPV vaccine were carefully chosen to make sure the vaccine is effective and safe.

For example, like the hepatitis B and Tdap vaccines, the HPV vaccine contains aluminum. Aluminum boosts the body’s immune response to the vaccine. People are exposed to aluminum every day through food, cooking utensils, water, and even breast milk. Aluminum-containing vaccines have been used for decades and have been given safely to many billions of people.

Organizations that monitor vaccine safety

Scientists and health organizations around the world closely monitor the safety of HPV vaccines. Hundreds of studies in millions of people worldwide have shown that the HPV vaccine is safe.

In the US, vaccine safety is watched by several national systems that work together to make sure that any harmful effects of vaccines can be found early.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review all serious side effects reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to watch for potential safety concerns that may need further study.

What are the side effects?

The HPV vaccine is given as a shot, usually in the upper arm. The most common side effects are pain, redness, bruising, swelling, or a lump where the shot was given.

Like any vaccination, there might be common mild side effects from the HPV vaccine that resolve quickly. These side effects might include headache, fever, nausea, tiredness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or a sore throat.

Signs of an allergic reaction

Like with any vaccine, a small number of people might have an allergic reaction to the vaccine. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives, or a rash.

Before you get the vaccine, make sure your healthcare provider knows about any severe allergies.

People with certain allergies should not get the HPV vaccine:

• Those with a severe allergy to yeast should not receive Gardasil 9.
• Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to anything else in the vaccine.
• Anyone who has had a serious reaction to an earlier dose of HPV vaccine.

Do people who were vaccinated for HPV need to be tested for HPV?

If you have a cervix, you still need regular screening for cervical cancer even if you are vaccinated for HPV. This is because the vaccine does not protect against all the types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. Also, a small number of cervical cancers can be caused by factors other than HPV.

How long does the HPV vaccine last?

Getting the HPV vaccine causes your body to make antibodies that can protect against the HPV virus when you are exposed to it. Research shows that the vaccine produces enough antibodies to give strong and long-lasting protection.

Is the HPV vaccine required?

In the US, only a few states and territories require the HPV vaccine for school entry, including Hawaii, Rhode Island, Virginia, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Vaccine exemptions due to personal or religious beliefs are allowed in most cases.

However, experts agree that it is best for children to get the HPV vaccination between the ages of 9 and 12 years to protect them from future HPV cancers.

Should I get the HPV vaccine if I'm pregnant?

The Gardasil 9 HPV vaccine was not studied in people who knew they were pregnant, so pregnant people should not get any HPV vaccine at this time. However, it does appear to be safe for both the mother and the unborn baby, especially because the vaccine does not use a live virus.

People who started the HPV vaccine series before they learned they were pregnant should complete the series after the pregnancy.

Does the HPV vaccine affect fertility?

The HPV vaccine can help protect women from future fertility problems that are linked to treatment for HPV cancers and precancers.

Research does not suggest that getting the HPV vaccine leads to having fertility problems later in life.

How much does the HPV vaccine cost?

Most insurance plans cover the cost of the HPV vaccine if it is given according to national guidelines, between ages 9 and 26 years. Check with your insurance plan to be sure.

If you don’t have insurance: The federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program covers vaccine costs, including the HPV vaccine, for children and teens who don’t have insurance. It provides free vaccines to children and teens until 19 years of age if they are either Medicaid-eligible, American Indian or Alaska Native, underinsured, or uninsured.

The VFC program also allows children and teens to get VFC vaccines through federally qualified health centers or rural health centers. For more on the VFC program or to find the VFC contact where you live, visit cdc.gov or call 1-800-232-4636.