How Long Will The Vaccine Prevent Hpv Infection
How long a vaccine will protect people is never known when the vaccine is first introduced. Current research shows that the vaccine is effective, and theres no sign that the protection decreases with time. Research will continue to look at how long protection against HPV lasts, and if booster shots will be needed.
How Does The Hpv Vaccine Work
The HPV vaccine is recommended for people 9 to 26 years old:
- For ages 914, the vaccine is given in 2 shots over a 6- to 12-month period.
- For ages 1526, it’s given in 3 shots over a 6-month period.
It works best when people get all their shots on time. If you’re under age 26 and you’ve missed a shot, you can still catch up. Just ask your doctor about the best way to do that.
The vaccine does not protect people against strains of HPV that might have infected them before getting the vaccine. The most effective way to prevent HPV infection is to get vaccinated before having sex for the first time. But even if you have had sex, it’s still the best way to protect against strains of the virus that you may not have come in contact with.
The vaccine doesn’t protect against all types of HPV. Anyone having sex should get routine checkups at a doctor’s office or health clinic. It’s important to get Pap smears when a doctor recommends it for most girls, that’s usually around age 21 unless there are signs of a problem before that.
The HPV vaccine is not a replacement for using condoms to protect against other strains of HPV and other STDs when having sex.
Hpv Vaccines Are Not A Cure
The vaccines are not an HPV cure. But they have been shown to provide long-lasting protection.
HPV vaccination doesn’t mean women can skip their Pap tests. It doesnât protect against all the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. Beginning at age 21 until age 65, women should have a Pap test every 3 years. Once age 30, the option of doing a Pap and HPV testing or HPV testing alone every 5 years also is available.
Don’t Miss: Cvs Dtap Vaccine
Can Adults Get The Hpv Vaccine Here’s What To Knowand How To Decide If It’s Right For You
The vaccine is recommended for everyone up to 26 years oldbut what if you’ve aged out of that range?
The human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . While most cases will resolve on their own without causing health problems, others can linger, resulting in conditions like genital warts or certain types of cancerprimarily cervical cancer and anal cancer.
The good news: There’s a highly effective vaccine to prevent HPVand thus, the cancers associated with it. A new study published in the journal The Lancet in November 2021 proves as much: Researchers in the UK found that the first-generation HPV vaccine led to a “substantial reduction” in cervical cancer rates as well as incidences of precancerous findings, when given to girls and young women, specifically 1213 year olds. According to study authors, “the HPV has successfully almost eliminated cervical cancer in women born since 1, 1995.”
These findings are a big deal, and they may leave many adults wondering about their own vaccination statusnamely, if they never received the HPV vaccine as a child, are they still eligible to get vaccinated now? And would the vaccine provide any real protection? Here, we break down the current HPV recommendations, and what experts say about getting the HPV vaccine as an adult.
Before Taking This Medicine
To make sure Gardasil 9 vaccine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
-
an allergy to yeast, polysorbate 80, or to other vaccines
-
a weak immune system or
-
treatment with cancer medicine, steroids, or other drugs that can weaken your immune system.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you get pregnant before you receive all needed doses of this vaccine, you may need to wait until after your baby is born to finish the series of shots.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of human papillomavirus vaccine on the baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using human papillomavirus vaccine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Gardasil 9 vaccine will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
Recommended Reading: Does Cvs Offer Tdap Shot
How Do I Obtain The Vaccine Do I Need To Pay For The Vaccine
The provision of free medications, vaccines and health services is a decision that is made within each province and territory. Please check with your provincial/territorial public health department. If you or your child is not eligible for HPV vaccination under an immunization program, you can speak with your healthcare provider if you wish to purchase the vaccine.
Are There Other Ways To Prevent Hpv
For those who are sexually active, condoms may lower the chances of getting HPV, if used with every sex act, from start to finish. Condoms may also lower the risk of developing HPV-related diseases . But HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condomso condoms may not fully protect against HPV.
People can also lower their chances of getting HPV by being in a faithful relationship with one partner limiting their number of sex partners and choosing a partner who has had no or few prior sex partners. But even people with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV. And it may not be possible to determine if a partner who has been sexually active in the past is currently infected. Thats why the only sure way to prevent HPV is to avoid all sexual activity.
Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
- Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
- You will be subject to the destination website’s privacy policy when you follow the link.
- CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance on other federal or private website.
Read Also: Can I Get Tdap At Cvs
How Long Does The Hpv Vaccine Protect For
Studies have 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 women who receive the HPV vaccine also have regular cervical screening once they reach the age of 25.
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.
You May Like: Does Cvs Do Tdap Shots
Who Should Not Get An Hpv Vaccine Or Who Should Wait
Pregnant women should not get any HPV vaccine at this time, even though they appear to be safe for both mother and the unborn baby. If a woman who is pregnant does get an HPV vaccine, its not a reason to consider ending the pregnancy. Women who started a vaccine series before they learned they were pregnant should complete the series after the pregnancy.
Make sure the health care provider knows about any severe allergies. The following should not get an HPV vaccine:
- Those with a severe allergy to yeast should not receive Gardasil or Gardasil 9.
- Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to anything else contained in the vaccines
- Anyone who has had a serious reaction to an earlier dose of HPV vaccine
Who Should Not Get An Hpv Vaccine
If youâre pregnant, itâs recommended you wait to have an HPV vaccine. But thereâs no evidence that it causes harm to an unborn baby. You also should not get the vaccine if youâve had a reaction to an earlier HPV or other vaccine, or if youâre allergic to yeast. You should postpone the shot if youâre moderately or severely ill.
Also Check: Cvs Tdap Booster
Where Can I Find These Vaccines
HPV vaccine may be available at doctor offices, community health clinics, school-based health centers, and health departments.
If your doctor does not stock HPV vaccine, ask for a referral.
You can also contact your state health department to learn more about where to get HPV vaccine in your community.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of The Hpv Vaccine
The most common side effects are pain, redness, or swelling near where the shot was given. Other common side effects are a fever, nausea , headache, and feeling tired.
Some pre-teens and teens may faint after getting any vaccine, including the HPV vaccine. It’s a good idea to have your child sit or lie down while getting the shot and for 15 minutes afterward.
Keep in mind that the benefits of the HPV vaccine far outweigh the risk of side effects.
You May Like: Tdap Booster Cvs
Fifty Years In The Making
Researchers had long known that cervical cancer behaves like a venereal disease, transmitted through sexual contact. It is rare in virgins and most common among women with early sexual experience and multiple partners.
An infectious cause was suspected but difficult to prove. In 1968 on Page 1 of The Times, I reported a link between cervical cancer and a sexually transmitted virus called Type 2 herpes. It turned out to be a red herring. Finally, in the 1980s, the human papillomavirus was correctly identified as the cause of cervical cancer, which led to the development and marketing of a highly effective vaccine in 2006.
Now, if not for the slow adoption of the HPV vaccine by the parents of adolescents, we would likely be well on our way to eliminating nearly all cases of cervical cancer and the five other HPV-caused cancers, 45,000 cases of which are diagnosed annually in the United States, Dr. Abraham Aragones, a public health researcher at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center told me.
Should Girls And Women Be Screened For Cervical Cancer Before Getting Vaccinated
Girls and women do not need to get an HPV test or Pap test to find out if they should get the vaccine. However it is important that women continue to be screened for cervical cancer, even after getting all recommended shots of the HPV vaccine. This is because the vaccine does not protect against ALL types of cervical cancer.
Also Check: Does Cvs Pharmacy Give Tdap Vaccine
Screening And Treatment Of Pre
Cervical cancer screening involves testing for pre-cancer and cancer, more and more testing for HPV infection is performed. Testing is done among women who have no symptoms and may feel perfectly healthy. When screening detects an HPV infection or pre-cancerous lesions, these can easily be treated, and cancer can be avoided. Screening can also detect cancer at an early stage and treatment has a high potential for cure.
Because pre-cancerous lesions take many years to develop, screening is recommended for every woman from aged 30 and regularly afterwards . For women living with HIV who are sexually active, screening should be done earlier, as soon as they know their HIV status.
Screening has to be linked to treatment and management of positive screening tests. Screening without proper management in place is not ethical.
There are 3 different types of screening tests that are currently recommended by WHO:
- HPV DNA testing for high-risk HPV types
- Visual inspection with Acetic Acid
- conventional test and liquid-based cytology
For treatment of pre-cancer lesions, WHO recommends the use of cryotherapy or thermal ablation and Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure when available. For advanced lesions, women should be referred for further investigations and adequate management.
Dosage And Administration For Gardasil 9
GARDASIL 9 should be administered intramuscularly in the deltoid or anterolateral area of the thigh.
- For individuals 9 through 14 years of age, GARDASIL 9 can be administered using a 2-dose or 3-dose schedule. For the 2-dose schedule, the second dose should be administered 612 months after the first dose. If the second dose is administered less than 5 months after the first dose, a third dose should be given at least 4 months after the second dose. For the 3-dose schedule, GARDASIL 9 should be administered at 0, 2 months, and 6 months.
- For individuals 15 through 45 years of age, GARDASIL 9 is administered using a 3-dose schedule at 0, 2 months, and 6 months.
Before administering GARDASIL 9, please read the Prescribing Information. The Patient Information also is available.
Recommended Reading: Cheapest Shingles Shot
How Effective Is The Hpv Vaccine In Preventing Hpv
When doses are given at the recommended ages and at the appropriate intervals, it has been shown to prevent 90% of cancer-causing HPV. Research has also shown that fewer teens and young adults are getting genital warts. The number of cervical precancers are decreasing since HPV vaccines have been in use.
Why Should The Hpv Vaccine Be Given To Pre
The vaccine work best at this age. Research shows that younger people have a better immune response to the vaccine than those in their late teens and early 20s. And, the vaccines will prevent the covered types of HPV only if they are given before exposure to the virus.
This is also an age when other vaccinations are given, and when children are likely to still be getting regular medical check-ups.
Also Check: Cvs Whooping Cough Vaccine
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
Frequently Asked Questionsexpand All
If you are older than 26, have not been vaccinated, and are at risk of a new HPV infection, you and your health care practitioner can talk about whether you need the HPV vaccine. The vaccine is approved for people through age 45.
If your child has not had all of the shots, he or she does not have to start over. Your child can get the next shot that is due even if the time between them is longer than recommended.
This is also true for you if you have not completed the number of recommended shots. Talk with your health care practitioner if you have questions about getting any shots you missed.
The most common side effect of the HPV vaccine is soreness and redness where the shot is given. There have been no reports of severe side effects or bad reactions to the vaccine.
The HPV vaccine is highly effective when given before a person has sex. The vaccine can reduce the risk of HPV-related genital warts and cancer by up to 99 percent when all recommended shots have been given. It is one of the most effective vaccines you can get.
Yes. If you have had sex, you may already be infected with one or more types of HPV. But the vaccine may still protect you against HPV types you do not have yet.
Article continues below
Read Also: Cvs Tdap Shot
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.