Why Is Hpv Vaccine Now Being Offered To Boys
HPV causes cancers in men as well as women. An increasing proportion of mouth and throat cancers, which affect men at higher rates than women, are caused by HPV. HPV can also cause penile and anal cancers in men. HPV immunisation has been recommended for boys for several years in New Zealand and many other countries.
HPV vaccines are relatively expensive and were initially funded to prevent the most common HPV-related cancer, cervical cancer, which affects only women. Immunising young women can help decrease the spread of HPV among young men through community immunity. Over 72 countries provide HPV vaccine to girls through their national immunisation programmes.
As HPV vaccines can be provided as two rather than three doses to those aged 14 and under, it is now possible to extend HPV immunisation to boys in New Zealand. Australia, Austria, Brazil, Israel and some Canadian provinces also offer free HPV immunisation for boys.
Hpv Vaccination Is Preventing Cancer
HPV infections and cervical precancers 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.
Are There Hpv Vaccine Side Effects
Research shows that the vaccine is safe. The most common side effect is temporary pain and redness where you get the shot.
One of the reasons the HPV vaccine is controversial is because it prevents a sexually transmitted infection, which leads some people to believe its inappropriate for children. But, the thing is, the vaccine works best if you get it long before you have sex. So its a good idea to get it when youre young so you wont have to worry about getting certain kinds of cancer later in life.
Studies show that the HPV vaccine doesnt lead to people having more sex or sex at a younger age. So giving kids the HPV vaccine doesnt encourage them to have sex. All it does is help protect them from genital warts and cancer in adulthood.
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Can Adults Older Than 26 Get The Hpv Vaccine
If you are older than 26 years old, you can still get the HPV vaccinebut there are a few caveats. First, the CDC specifically says it does not recommend HPV vaccination for everyone over the age of 26. The American Cancer Society goes a bit furtherthe organization specifically does not endorse HPV vaccination for those ages 2745.
The reasoning behind this is effectivenessspecifically the lack thereof. “People are usually exposed to HPV within a year or so of their first sexual experience,” says Dr. Perkins. That means there’s a low chance of cancer prevention from the vaccine in this age group.
Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t get the vaccine if you’re over 26: “You can still get the HPV vaccine if you’ve already had HPV,” says Dr. Perkins. “While it will not be as effective against the HPV type you currently have , you may be protected against other strains.”
In that case, some doctors even recommend the HPV vaccine for their patients, up to 45 years old. Kate White, MD, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University School of Medicine is one of those doctorsshe tells Health she recommends all of her patients under the age of 45 to be vaccinated, even those in long-term monogamous relationships, just to err on the side of caution.
The CDC suggests adults ages 2745 who weren’t previously vaccinated against HPV speak with their doctor about their risk of new HPV infections, and any potential benefits they could reap from vaccination.
When Should My Child Get The Shot
11-12 Years
- 2 doses of the HPV shot are needed, 6-12 months apart.
- If the shots are given less than 5 months apart, a 3rd dose is needed.
If started after 15th birthday
- 3 doses of the HPV shot should be given over 6 months.
- If your teen hasnt gotten the vaccine yet, talk to his/her doctor about getting it as soon as possible.
Your child can get the first dose of the HPV vaccine at the same visit they get vaccines to protect against meningitis and whooping cough.
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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
What Are The Side Effects
The most common side effects of the HPV vaccine are mild and include:
- Pain, redness, or swelling in the arm where the shot was given
- Fever
- Dizziness or fainting
- Nausea
80% of people will get an HPV infection in their lifetime.
While there is screening for cervical cancer, there are no routine screening tests for these other types of HPV cancers, so they often arent detected until they cause health problems.
Every year in the U.S.:
- More than 4,000 women die of cervical every year in the U.S., even with screening and treatment
- Nearly 35,000 men and women are diagnosed with a cancer caused by an HPV infection
- Nearly 200,000 women are estimated to be diagnosed with a cervical precancer, or abnormal cells on the cervix that can lead to cancer. Treatment for cervical cancers and precancers can limit womens ability to have children
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How Long The Hpv Vaccine Protects You
Studies have already shown that the vaccine protects against HPV infection for at least 10 years, although experts expect protection to last for much longer.
But because the HPV vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, it’s important that all girls who receive the HPV vaccine also have regular cervical screening once they reach the age of 25.
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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Reasons To Get Hpv Vaccine
All children ages 1112-years should get HPV vaccine to protect against cancers caused by HPV infections.
Almost every unvaccinated person who is sexually active will get HPV at some time in their life. About 13 million Americans, including teens, become infected with HPV each year. Most HPV infections will go away on their own. But infections that dont go away can cause certain types of cancer.
HPV can cause cancers of the:
- Penisexternal icon in men
- Anusexternal icon in both women and men
- Back of the throat , including the base of the tongue and tonsils, in both men and women
HPV infections, genital warts, and cervical precancers have dropped since the vaccine has been in use in the United States.
- Infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital warts have dropped 88% among teen girls and 81% among young adult women.
- Among vaccinated women, the percentage of cervical precancers caused by the HPV types most often linked to cervical cancer have dropped by 40 percent.
HPV is estimated to cause nearly 36,000 cases of cancer in men and women every year in the United States. HPV vaccination can prevent 33,000 of these cancers by preventing the infections that cause them. Thats the same as the average attendance for a baseball game.
Most children only need two doses of HPV vaccine when vaccinated before age 15 years. You can take advantage of any visit to your childs doctor to get recommended vaccines for your child:
What If You Aren’t Sure If You Got The Hpv Vaccine
Those who started, but never finished the HPV vaccine series when they were younger should see their doctor for their last shots. “If you’re not sure how many doses of the HPV vaccine you’ve received, it’s better to err on the side of getting an extra dose,” Dr. White says.
You also don’t have to worry about the timing herewhile it’s best to get the shots at the recommended intervals, you won’t need to start the immunization process over again. “Even if the doses are off schedule, you can just finish the recommended number of doses. The series does not need to be restarted,” says Dr. Perkins.
For those who don’t remember whether or not they got the HPV vaccine as a child, the first step is to try and access your old medical records. If you can’t do that for whatever reason, Dr. White recommends re-starting the series. Even if you received an older version of the HPV vaccine while you were younger, it is safe to get the newer vaccine at a later date, Dr. Perkins says.
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Are There Reasons To Not Get Vaccinated Later In Life
Women who are pregnant are recommended to wait, as is true of many vaccines.
Have more questions about HPV, the vaccine, and cancer? Check out our FAQ for answers.
For the rest of the population, this is an incredibly safe and helpful vaccine. The benefits far outweigh any potential risks, which have proven to be negligible. Its also important to understand that the vaccines safety record is based on strong data from a very large number of people who have received the vaccine.
There have been concerns that supplies of the vaccine may be in low in some countries where rates of HPV and cervical cancer are particularly high, such as in many parts of Latin America.
However, there is plenty of vaccine in the United States. And its not clear that adequate supplies in one country will solve a shortage in a different country. Pharmaceutical markets are not that simple.
One of the most serious drawbacks to getting the vaccine later in life is cost. The vaccine costs around $600 and many insurers do not cover it after adolescence. However, that appears to be changing recently. And with federal health officials expanding the recommended age range for vaccination, more insurers are expected to cover it.
How Effective Are The Vaccines
The HPV vaccines have demonstrated very high efficacy in preventing the types of HPV infection for which they are indicated . If you are infected with one of the HPV types in the vaccine, the vaccine will still protect against the other type in the vaccine. HPV DNA testing is not recommended prior to vaccination.
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How Safe Is The Vaccine
The first HPV vaccines were approved in 2006, following large clinical trials involving more than 20,000 people. Since then, research covering hundreds of thousands of vaccinations shows a similar safety profile to other childhood vaccines. The safety data for Gardasil 9 is consistent with the HPV4 safety studies.All applications seeking consent to distribute a medicine in New Zealand are evaluated by Medsafe. This evaluation is performed to internationally defined standards and requirements. Gardasil 9 was evaluated by Medsafe and approved in 2016. Gardasil 9 is also approved in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. In New Zealand, as in other countries, there is ongoing monitoring of vaccine safety. The reactions reported from Gardasil 9 are similar to other immunisations. The most common reactions are injection site pain, redness, and swelling. Nausea and fainting have also been reported. The only known severe reaction is a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which usually occurs within minutes of the immunisation being given. Anaphylaxis is rare about three anaphylactic reactions per 1 million doses of vaccine administered. Every vaccinator is trained and equipped to deal with an anaphylactic reaction if one occurs. For this reason, patients are asked to wait 20 minutes after a vaccine is given, so that medical treatment can be provided.
Medsafe have further information about Gardasil 9 on their website:
How Can You Talk To Your Child About The Hpv Vaccine
Some parents may worry about talking to their young child about the HPV vaccine, because they think it means they have to have the “sex talk.” But you don’t have to talk to your child about sex if you’re not ready. Your child may get other vaccines at ages 11 and 12, such as a meningitis shot or a tetanus booster shot. You may want to start the HPV vaccine series when they receive these other shots. You can tell your child that these vaccines can help keep them healthy and prevent cancer and other illnesses later in life.
If you do decide to talk to your child about HPV and the vaccine, it doesn’t mean you’re giving your child permission to have sex. Instead, it’s a chance to teach your child about safer sex and . This information will be important for when your child is older and making choices about sex.
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Hpv Vaccine For Girls And Boys
The HPV vaccine has been offered to girls in their first year of secondary school since 2010. This is because the most common cancer caused by the HPV virus is cervical cancer which only affects women.
Since September 2019, boys have also been offered the HPV vaccine. This is because HPV can cause cancers and genital warts in boys too.
The more young people vaccinated – both boys and girls – the better we can control the spread of the infection.
Why Your Child Needs The Hpv Vaccine As Told By A Nurse
When parents ask me why their child needs the human papillomavirus vaccine, my answer is always Cancer … It prevents CANCER. So, lets give it today.
While many people who acquire HPV will successfully fight off the virus on their own, those who dont are at risk for developing HPV-related cancers. In women, HPV can lead to cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers in men, penile cancer. In both sexes, HPV can cause anal or head and neck cancers.
Unfortunately, the pervasive myths and misunderstandings about HPV and the vaccine that protects against it sometimes prevent parents from listening to my message. I remember the first time a parent declined the HPV vaccine for their pre-teen, telling me Oh no, no not that one. I assured her it is an important, safe vaccine that prevents HPV-related cancers. Naively, I thought the cancer prevention argument, combined with the influence of my blue scrubs and RN badge, would convince her. Instead, with a tightly furrowed brow, she leaned closer to me and whispered, Were not ready for that yet.
On one level, I empathized with this mom and understood why she took offense at my suggestion. Since the HPV vaccine protects against a sexually transmitted infection , many assume its not necessary until their child is sexually active. And that is something the majority of parents of pre-teens dread discussing with their kids.
Need a vaccine? to find your nearest Texas Children’s Pediatrics
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Pregnancy And Hpv Immunisation
Immunisation against HPV is not recommended for women who are pregnant. If you become pregnant afterstarting the HPV vaccination course, you should not receive any further doses of the vaccine whilepregnant. You can complete the course of vaccination after the birth of your baby. The HPV vaccine canbe given to women who are breastfeeding.
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.
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How Do I Find Out What Vaccines I Would Have Received As A Child
The vaccines you would have been offered as a child depends on where you were born and where you lived during your childhood. If you were vaccinated here in British Columbia, you can find the historical list of all of the vaccine programs within BC in the BCCDC Immunization Manual.
However, without a record of vaccination , a person is considered unvaccinated and unprotected. They should generally be vaccinated to ensure protection. It is safe to repeat vaccines. Blood tests to determine immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases are not routinely recommended or available for all diseases. Your health care provider can help determine what is best for you.