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
- Muscle or joint pain
To prevent fainting and injuries related to fainting, adolescents should be seated or lying down during vaccination and for 15 minutes after the shot.
It is important to tell the doctor or nurse if your child has any severe allergies, including an allergy to latex or yeast.
Prepare for your childs vaccine visit and learn what you can do before, during, and after the vaccination.
How Do Hpv Vaccines Work
Like other immunizations that guard against viral infection, HPV vaccines stimulate the body to produce antibodies that, in future encounters with HPV, bind to the virus and prevent it from infecting cells.
The current HPV vaccines are based on virus-like particles that are formed by HPV surface components. VLPs are not infectious because they lack the viruss DNA. However, they closely resemble the natural virus, and antibodies against the VLPs also have activity against the natural virus. The VLPs have been found to be strongly immunogenic, which means that they induce high levels of antibody production by the body. This makes the vaccines highly effective.
The vaccines do not prevent other sexually transmitted diseases, nor do they treat existing HPV infections or HPV-caused disease.
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.
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Some Hpv Infections Can Lead To Cancer
Most HPV infections go away by themselves within 2 years. But sometimes, HPV infections will last longer and can cause some cancers. HPV infections can cause cancers of the:
- Cervix, vagina, and vulva in women
- Penis in men
- Anus in both women and men
- Back of the throat , including the base of the tongue and tonsils, in both men and women
Every year in the United States, HPV causes about 36,000 cases of cancer in men and women.
And Parents’ Other Hpv Vaccine Questions Answered
When your kid is 11 or 12 years old, the sex talk the one about the birds and the bees and using protection might seem like a long way away. But its definitely not too early for the HPV vaccine. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection around 80 percent of adults have been exposed to it at some point in their life. And it isnt something to mess around with. Usually, the immune system completely clears the virus within a year or two, and most people wont experience any symptoms. But out of the more than 100 strains of HPV, at least 14 have the potential to cause a range of cancers, most notably cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, according to the National Institutes of Health. Good news: that means its almost completely preventable with two quick jabs of the HPV vaccine.
With the HPV vaccine, we essentially have a vaccine against cancer. But before making an appointment for the shot, youll likely have a bunch of questions: Are there any HPV vaccine side effects? Can it wait until my kid is older? Should boys get the vaccine? Here, we answer all your HPV vaccine questions.
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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.
Who Should Not Get Hpv Vaccine
Tell your doctor about any severe allergies. Some people should not get some HPV vaccines if:
- They have ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any ingredient of an HPV vaccine, or to a previous dose of HPV vaccine.
- They have an allergy to yeast .
- They are pregnant.
HPV vaccines are safe for children who are mildly ill, like those with a low-grade fever of less than 101 degrees, a cold, runny nose, or cough. People with a moderate or severe illness should wait until they are better.
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How Much Does Hpv Vaccination Cost And Will Insurance Pay For It
Most private insurance plans cover HPV vaccination. The federal Affordable Care Act requires most private insurance plans to cover recommended preventive services with no copay or deductible.
Medicaid covers HPV vaccination in accordance with ACIP recommendations, and immunizations are a mandatory service under Medicaid for eligible individuals under age 21. In addition, the federal Vaccines for Children Program provides immunization services for children younger than 19 years who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured, underinsured, or Native American or Alaska Native.
Merck, the manufacturer of Gardasil 9, offers the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program, which provides Gardasil 9 for free to people aged 19 to 45 years who live in the United States, do not have health insurance, and have an annual household income less than a certain amount.
The Health Risks Of Hpv
HPV causes almost all cervical cancers but is also linked to cancer of the throat, oral cavity, penis, anus, vagina or vulva. More research is needed to define the extent of these linkages.
Anogenital warts, although rarely associated with cancer, are still a significant burden for those affected often leading to physical, emotional and social problems. They can be effectively treated by applying prescribed medication either in a doctor’s office or by you at home. Other medical treatments include cryotherapy , an electric current, or a laser or surgical removal of the warts but these methods do not always eliminate HPV infection. Even with treatment, warts can recur.
HPV does not appear to affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant. Although considered rare, the baby may be at risk of getting an HPV infection in the throat. A C-section delivery is not routinely recommended, unless there is a significant obstruction or other risks.
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Are There Any Hpv Vaccine Side Effects
Prior to its approval, Gardasil 9, the HPV vaccine currently used in the U.S., went through 15 years of monitoring and research. It was studied in clinical trials with more than 29,000 people of all sexes and genders, according to the CDC. Since then, the CDC has continued to monitor side effects through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.
The most common side effects reported are redness and pain at the injection site, headache, fever, and fainting, which is an especially common reaction to vaccines in teens. Although these side effects may be uncomfortable, none are particularly harmful, and theyre all short-term.
Hpv Tests Check For High
These tests are usually used to identify women who are at high-risk of having precancerous changes and developing cervical cancer. Research shows that HPV testing is more accurate than the Pap test in finding precancerous changes in the cervix. Researchers are still trying to find the best way to use the HPV test as a part of cervical cancer screening. are an effective way to find cervical cancer.
HPV tests are available in some areas of Canada. In provinces that use HPV tests as part of their cervical cancer screening programs, they are generally used as a follow-up to abnormal Pap tests results.
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What Are The Different Types Of Hpv And What Do They Do
There are more than 100 different types of HPV, and around 40 that affect the genital area.
HPV is very common and can be caught through any kind of sexual contact with another person who already has it.
Most people will get an HPV infection at some point in their lives and their bodies will get rid of it naturally without treatment.
But some people infected with a high-risk type of HPV will not be able to clear it.
Over time, this can cause abnormal tissue growth as well as other changes, which can lead to cancer if not treated.
High-risk types of HPV are linked to different types of cancer, including:
Infection with other types of HPV may cause:
- genital warts small growths or skin changes on or around the genital or anal area they’re the most common viral sexually transmitted infection in the UK
- skin warts and verrucas not on the genital area
- warts on the voice box or vocal cords
Recommendations For Young Adults
The CDC also recommends a three-dose series of the HPV vaccine for certain people who have not completed the early two-dose series. These include:
- Females through age 26
- Men who have sex with men through age 26
In addition, the HPV vaccine is recommended for young adults up to age 26 who are immunocompromised, such as those living with HIV.
Although men get HPV-associated diseases less often than women, vaccination is still recommended. This is especially true for MSM, who are up to 38 times more likely to get anal cancer compared to the general population that jumps to 130 times more likely if they have HIV.
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Hpv Vaccines For Adults Over Age 26 May Not Be Cost
For immediate release: Thursday, March 11, 2021
Boston, MA Vaccinating adults age 26 and older against the human papillomavirus the virus that causes more than 90% of cervicalcancers as well as several other cancersmay not be cost-effective, according to a new study led by researchers at the Harvard T.H. School of Public Health.
Our study found that the added health benefit of increasing the vaccination age limit beyond 26 years is minimal, and that the cost-effectiveness is much lower than in pre-adolescents, the target age group for the HPV vaccine, said , K.T. Li Professor of Health Economics and lead author of the study.
HPV vaccines have been shown to be highly effective in preventing HPV infections that are associated with cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancers, as well as genital warts. Current U.S. guidelines recommend HPV vaccination for girls and boys at age 11 or 12, and catch-up vaccination for people through age 26 if they were not vaccinated when younger. For adults beyond age 26, the guidelines dont specifically recommend catch-up vaccination but suggest that, for people aged 27-45, clinicians and patients make decisions about HPV vaccination on an individual basis.
Other Harvard Chan School co-authors of the study included Emily Burger, Stephen Sy, and Catherine Regan.
Funding for the study came from the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health .
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.
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Does The Vaccine Have Side Effects Is It Safe
The HPV vaccine is safe. The most common side effects from HPV vaccination are mild and might include: fever, headache, and pain and redness in the arm where the shot was given.
Sometimes children and teens faint after getting a shot, including the HPV vaccine. Sitting or lying down when getting a shot, and staying in that position for about 15 minutes afterwards, can help prevent fainting.
Children and teens with an allergy to yeast or with an allergy to any other component of the vaccine that causes anaphylaxis should not receive the HPV vaccine.
At What Age Should Kids Get The Hpv Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all kids receive the HPV vaccine at 11 or 12 years old, or as early as 9 years old. That may seem young, but the age range is important for several reasons.
First, 11- and 12-year-olds have a stronger immune response to the vaccine than older teens. Their immune systems pump out more virus-fighting antibodies compared to older kids, according to the University of Utah Health. In fact, to achieve the immune response needed to protect against infection, kids younger than 15 only need two doses, but older teens need three shots. Tweens and teens younger than 15 need to wait at least six months between doses, while older teens need to wait 1-2 months before their second vaccine and another six months before their third.
Theres also the fact that during those tween years, puberty is just around the corner, if it hasnt hit yet. Its important that tweens and teens get vaccinated against HPV well before they start having sex. HPV is common enough that most adults pick it up soon after first becoming sexually active, according to the CDC.
But getting the HPV vaccine doesnt need to involve a conversation about sex. Instead, parents can simply explain to kids that the vaccine is protecting them against HPV infection and up to six types of cancer.
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When Should My Child Get The Hpv Vaccine
The vaccine is given as a series of shots. HPV vaccination works best when given between ages 9 and 12.
Children and young adults age 13 through 26 who have not been vaccinated, or who havent gotten all their doses, should get the vaccine as soon as possible. Vaccination of young adults will not prevent as many cancers as vaccination of children and teens.
The American Cancer Society does not recommend HPV vaccination for persons older than 26 years.
Who Can Have The Hpv Vaccine Through The Nhs Vaccination Programme
The 1st dose of the HPV vaccine is routinely offered to girls and boys aged 12 and 13 in school Year 8. The 2nd dose is offered 6 to 24 months after the 1st dose.
If you miss either of your HPV vaccine doses, speak to your school immunisation team or GP surgery and make an appointment to have the missed dose as soon as possible.
It’s important to have both doses of the vaccine to be fully protected.
If youre eligible and miss the HPV vaccine offered in Year 8 at school, its available for free on the NHS up until your 25th birthday for:
- girls born after 1 September 1991
- boys born after 1 September 2006
People who have the 1st dose of the HPV vaccine at 15 years of age or above will need to have 3 doses of the vaccine. This is because they do not respond as well to 2 doses as younger people do.
Read more about HPV vaccination safety and the possible side effects.
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When Should You Be Vaccinated
The vaccines are given 2 or 3 times over a 6- to 12-month period. The timing of doses is important to make sure the vaccines are as effective as possible. If all doses of the vaccine are not given, or they are not given at the right time, you may not get the full benefit of the vaccine.
The vaccines are most effective if theyre given before a person becomes sexually active because their risk of infection will be lower. The vaccines are also more effective in young teens when the immune system is most responsive to the vaccine.