The Age Of People Who Are Recommended To Get The Hpv Vaccine Has Expanded What Do These Age Ranges Mean
First, its important to know that its still best for children to be vaccinated when they are about 11 or 12 years old. Thats the most important age range. Getting the vaccine before first sexual contact protects a person over their entire life.
The recommendations for Pap tests, HPV tests, and pelvic exams have been updated recently. An MSK expert explains what tests women need, at what ages.
When the vaccine was approved in 2006, anyone up to age 26 could get it. In October 2018, US health officials said anyone up to age 45 could get it. US health officials have taken a further step and now recommend that anyone up to the age of 26 man or woman get the vaccine.
If a person didnt receive the vaccine as an adolescent, as a rule of thumb, it makes the most sense to get it as early as possible, rather than waiting until later. People tend to have the most sexual partners in their twenties. Also, since HPV-associated cancers often take years to develop, you are protected longer if you get the vaccine when you are younger.
What Does Having Hpv Mean For Me Or My Sex Partners Health
See a healthcare provider if you have questions about anything new or unusual on your or your partners:
- Penis,
- Throat
Anything new or unusual could be warts, unusual growths, lumps, or sores.
Even if you are healthy, you and your sex partner may also want to get tested for other STIs.
If you or your partner have genital warts, stop having sex until you no longer have warts. We do not know how long a person is able to spread HPV after warts go away.
The Hpv Vaccine And Coronavirus
Many schools were closed for part of the 2019-20 school year. This means the school vaccination programme, which the HPV vaccine is part of, has been disrupted. You may not have been offered the HPV vaccine yet or only had the first dose.
The UK governments Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation have said that the priority is for every eligible girl and boy to have the first dose of the HPV vaccine . This will offer good protection while catch up plans are happening.
Health services in your area are making plans to catch up with vaccines that have been missed:
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Transgender People And The Hpv Vaccine
Some transgender people are also eligible for the HPV vaccine.
Trans women are eligible for the HPV vaccine if their risk of getting HPV is similar to the risk of MSM who are eligible for the HPV vaccine.
Trans men are eligible if they have sex with other men and are aged 45 or under.
If trans men have previously completed a course of HPV vaccination as part of the girls’ HPV vaccine programme, no further doses are needed.
Ask the doctor or nurse at the sexual health or HIV clinic for more details.
Page last reviewed: 10 May 2019 Next review due: 10 May 2022
Safety And Adverse Events
Common and local adverse events
Based on pre-licensure clinical trials, involving more than 15,000 subjects given HPV4 vaccine and 12,000 given HPV2 vaccine, the most common adverse events in persons receiving HPV vaccines were: injection site pain , swelling or redness . These adverse events were observed significantly more often following HPV vaccine than following active vaccine or placebo controls. In over 94% of subjects who received HPV vaccine, the reactions were mild to moderate in intensity, resolved over a few days, and did not prevent completion of the immunization schedule. Systemic adverse events, such as fatigue, myalgia, headache, fever, and nausea, generally occurred with comparable frequency in vaccine and control groups. The safety profile of HPV9 vaccine is comparable to HPV4 vaccine, although mild to moderate intensity injection site reactions are more common following receipt of HPV9 vaccine.
Since vaccine licensure, hundreds of millions of doses of HPV vaccine have been distributed worldwide. Data from post-licensure safety surveillance reporting systems have consistently mirrored the pre-licensure data with the most frequently reported adverse events following immunization being vaccination site reactions and muscle pain.
Less common and serious or severe adverse events
Other reported adverse events and conditions
Guidance on Reporting Adverse Events Following Immunization
Contraindications and precautions
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Who Should Not Get The Hpv Vaccine
The use of the HPV vaccine is not recommended for the following people:
- Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to yeast or to the vaccine previously.
- Pregnant women should delay being vaccinated until after pregnancy. The safety of the vaccine in pregnancy is unknown.
- If you have a fever or illness at the time of vaccination, let your doctor or nurse know before they give the vaccination.
Will Girls/women Who Have Been Vaccinated Still Need Cervical Cancer Screening
The HPV vaccines currently available do not protect against all types of HPV. Even when someone is vaccinated, it is still possible to become infected with one of the types of HPV that the vaccine does not protect against. Therefore, it is important that vaccinated girls/women continue to have regular Pap tests. For more information, see the “It’s Your Health” Fact Sheet on screening for cervical cancer . The recommendations for Pap screening vary depending on the province or territory you live in. Ask your local health care provider about the recommendations in your region.
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Can I Get The Hpv Vaccine
In the United States, the HPV vaccination recommendation is for:
- All preteens at age 11 or 12 years
- Everyone through age 26 years, if not vaccinated already.
Vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some adults age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their healthcare provider about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination.
HPV vaccination for ages 27 through 45 provides less benefit. Most sexually active adults have already been exposed to HPV, although vaccination does not target all HPV types.
At any age, having a new sex partner is a risk factor for getting a new HPV infection. People who are already in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship are not likely to get a new HPV infection.
Learn more about who should get an HPV vaccine.
What If You Miss Your Vaccine
Anyone who misses either of their HPV vaccine doses when they became eligible in school Year 8 should speak to their school immunisation team or their GP surgery. They should make an appointment to get up to date as soon as possible.
If you have the 1st dose of the HPV vaccine at 15 years of age or over, you’ll need 3 doses to be fully protected. Having 2 doses is not as effective for older people.
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When Was The Hpv Vaccine Introduced In The Uk
The first version of the HPV vaccine was introduced in 2008. Initially it was only offered to girls in UK schools aged 12 or 13, however from 2019 it was approved for boys of the same age. In 2018, the HPV vaccine was approved for men who have sex with men .
The latest development has been a switch in the type of vaccine used for the national programme. Previously, the vaccine Gardasil was used this protects against four strains of HPV which are known to cause cancer and genital warts. The new version, Gardasil 9, prevents against nine strains, which means it offers a higher level of protection, will now be offered as part of the programme.
Does Health Insurance Pay For The Hpv Vaccines
Insurance plans will probably cover the HPV vaccine cost if it is given according to national guidelines. But check with your insurance plan to be sure.
The vaccines are included in the federal Vaccines for Children program. This program covers vaccine costs for children and teens who dont have insurance. The VFC program provides free vaccines to children and teens younger than 19 years of age, who are either Medicaid-eligible, American Indian or Alaska Native, 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 www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/contacts-state.html, or call 1-800-232-4636.
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Who Can Have The Hpv Vaccine In School
The HPV vaccine is offered free to girls and boys in schools.
It has been offered to girls since September 2008. It has been offered to both girls and boys since September 2019. This is because the evidence shows that the HPV vaccine helps protect both girls and boys from HPV-related conditions and cancers.
Men Get Cancers Caused By Hpv In Large Numbers Too
From 2013 to 2017, there were approximately 25,000 cases of HPV-associated cancers in women and 19,000 in men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than four out of every ten cases of cancer caused by HPV are in men.
HPV should be of concern to all since men and women are affected virtually the same by this virus, says Abraham Aragones, an MSK physician who also studies public health.
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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.
- Some adults age 27 through 45 years who were not already vaccinated might choose to get HPV vaccine after speaking with their doctor about their risk for new HPV infections and possible benefits of vaccination for them.
- HPV vaccination of adults provides less benefit, because more people in this age range were exposed to HPV already.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: Canadian Immunization Guide
For health professionals
Last complete chapter revision: May 2017
New recommendation: HPV9 vaccine may be administered to immunocompetent males and females 9 to 14 years of age according to a 2-dose or 3-dose immunization schedule. The second dose of HPV9 vaccine in a 2-dose schedule should not be administered earlier than 24 weeks following the first dose. Immunocompromised individuals should continue to receive a 3-dose immunization schedule, as previously recommended.
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What Does The Hpv Vaccine Do
The HPV vaccine, Gardasil 9, prevents certain cancers and diseases caused by nine types of HPV. Itâs estimated that 92 percent of cancers caused by HPV could be prevented by the vaccine.
But a vaccine doesn’t just benefit the person that receives it. There is evidence that the HPV vaccine promotes herd immunity to these kinds of HPV across the population. While the data from both men and women is lacking, studies done in women alone indicate that vaccinating young women and girls protects unvaccinated young men from HPV-related cancers, too. A 2019 study published in JAMA found that rates of oral cancer-related HPV strains in unvaccinated men decreased from 2.7 percent in 2009-10 to 1.6 percent in 2015-16. The results suggest some men may be protected by having partners who are vaccinated.
“Less benefits doesnât mean no benefits.”
Vaccinating people with pre-cancer â abnormal cells associated with an increased risk of becoming cancerous â may be effective, too, Deshmukh says. Data suggest HPV vaccinations can cut down the persistence of infection, slowing down the progression to cancer. More clinical trials are needed to establish this benefit of vaccination â but the evidence thus far is promising, he says.
âI donât get very many questions from people about HPV, with the exception of âCan you test for it?ââ Starke says. When urology patients do bring up HPV, the conversation tends to be about genial warts â not cancer.
Can I Get Treated For Hpv Or Health Problems Caused By Hpv
There is no specific treatment for HPV. But, there are treatments for health problems that develop from HPV. Your healthcare provider can treat genital warts with prescription medication. Cancers from HPV are more treatable when found and treated early. For more information, visit www.cancer.orgexternal icon.
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How Effective Is The Hpv Vaccine
Almost all HPV infections that cause abnormal cells and cancer can be prevented by the HPV vaccine.
The HPV vaccine prevents several cancers, including:
- cervical cancer in females
- vaginal and vulval cancers in females
- anal cancer in females and males
- throat cancers in females and males
- penile cancer in males.
The HPV vaccine also protects against almost all cases of genital warts in both males and females.
Studies show the vaccine is very effective in Australia. Since it was introduced in 2007, rates of HPV infections, pre-cancers of the cervix and genital warts have greatly decreased.
How Much Does The Hpv Vaccine Cost
Each dose of the vaccine can cost about $250. Luckily, many health insurance companies cover the HPV vaccine. There are also programs that help some people without insurance get the vaccine for low or no cost.
You deserve to be healthy, regardless of whether you have health insurance. Talk with the staff at your local Planned Parenthood health center or another nurse or doctor to get more information about ways to make the vaccine more affordable.
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What Happens If I Miss The Hpv Vaccine In School
If you miss the vaccination day, talk to your school. They may be able to invite you to the next vaccination day.
If you are no longer able to have the HPV vaccine in school, you can have it free at your GP surgery up to age 25 in England, Scotland and Wales. This applies to:
- girls who were in year 8 , S1 , or year 9 in September 2008.
- boys who were in year 8 , S1 , or year 9 in September 2019.
You can contact your GP surgery directly about having the HPV vaccine.
How Many Doses Of The Hpv Vaccine Will I Have
A dose is a measured amount of something in this case, the HPV vaccine. The number of HPV vaccine doses you have depends on your age.
The HPV vaccine works best before you are exposed to HPV. As you get older, your response to the vaccine is not as good, so you have more doses to make sure it works as well as possible.
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Help Paying For Hpv Vaccine
The Vaccines for Children program helps families of eligible children who might not otherwise have access to vaccines. The program provides vaccines at no cost to children ages 18 years and younger who are uninsured, Medicaid-eligible, or American Indian/Alaska Native. To learn more, seeVFC program.
What Are The Hpv Vaccine Ingredients
The HPV vaccine contains no viruses and is not made from human papillomavirus. The active ingredients in the HPV vaccine are proteins that are similar to those found in the human papillomavirus. Genetically modified bacteria produce the proteins, which are then purified and mixed into a sterile, water-based solution.
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Why Is The Hpv Vaccine Given At Such A Young Age
HPV infections can be spread by any skin-to-skin contact and are usually found on the fingers, hands, mouth and genitals.
This means the virus can be spread during any kind of sexual activity, including touching.
The HPV vaccine works best if girls and boys get it before they come into contact with HPV .
So getting the vaccine when recommended will help protect them during their teenage years and beyond.
Most unvaccinated people will be infected with some type of HPV at some time in their life.
The virus does not usually do any harm because the person’s immune system clears the infection.
But sometimes the infection stays in the body for many years, and then it may start to cause damage.
Who Should Get The Hpv Vaccine
All people ages 9 to 45 can get the HPV vaccine to protect against genital warts and/or different types of HPV that can cause cancer. Its recommended that children get the vaccine at age 11 or 12, so theyre fully protected years before they become sexually active.
But regardless of your age, talk with your nurse or doctor to find out if the HPV vaccine could benefit you.
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Advice For Young People
The CDC also recommends three doses of the HPV vaccine for some people who have not completed an earlier two-dose series. These include:
- Women under 26
- men under 21
- Men who have sex with men to age 26
In addition, the HPV vaccine is recommended for immunocompromised young people under the age of 26, such as those with HIV.
Although men have HPV-related disease less frequently than women, vaccination is still recommended. This was especially true for MSM, who were 38 times more likely to develop anal cancer than the general population 130 times more likely if they had HIV.
Does HPV mean you will get cervical cancer?
Conditions Caused By Hpv Infection
In girls, HPV infection can cause cancer of the:
- cervix
The HSE school vaccination teams will visit schools twice in students’ first year of secondary school.
Boys and girls will get 4 injections in total, 2 at each visit:
- Visit 1 from the end of September: HPV vaccine and Tdap vaccine.
- Visit 2 from March: HPV vaccine and MenACWY vaccine.
One vaccine is given in each arm.
School teams are restating clinics for school vaccinations from the end of September. The school teams know what students need to get their vaccines and will contact parents and guardians to offer vaccines to students.
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