HPV Vaccine for Youths

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection. Nearly 80 million people — about one in four — are currently infected in the United States, including both men and women.

There are many types of HPV. Some types of the virus can cause genital warts. Other types can cause cervical cancer and some less common cancers, such as vaginal and anal cancer. In fact, HPV causes nearly 27,000 cases of cancer every year in men and women.

The HPV vaccine protects against the most common HPV types that can cause serious health problems. The best time to get the vaccine is between the ages 9 to 14, before teenagers become sexually active.

HPV Vaccine Guidelines

For 9 to 14-year-olds:

• Who have not started the vaccine: They will receive two-doses, waiting at least 6 months between doses. (This replaces what was a three-dose requirement.)
• Who have received the initial dose, they can wait 6 months and complete the protocol with only one more injection (instead of two). If they've had two doses within 6 months, they'll have to wait and still require the third dose.
• Who have received two HPV vaccines at least 6 months apart, they're now done.

For 15-year-olds:
The traditional three-dose series still applies unless they received a dose before their 15th birthday (in which case only two doses, separated by at least 6 months, are necessary).

Children of any age, with weakened immune systems:
They also require three doses.

While this vaccine has been available in the United States since 2006, only 57 percent of girls between ages 11 and 13 at Kaiser Permanente medical offices get the first vaccine, and only 21 percent get all three. Rates are even lower for boys.

"Most parents don't hesitate to vaccinate their children against potentially deadly diseases," says John Dunn, MD, co-chair of the Kaiser Permanente Immunization Team. "Protecting them against HPV should be no different."