Facts Series: HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine

Did you know that January is Cervical Health Awareness Month? Though serious, cervical cancer is highly preventable via screening tests for cervical cancer and vaccines to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a major cause of cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine

• HPV vaccine is approved by the FDA and is recommended by the CDC for both males and females.
• It is routinely given at 11 or 12 years of age, but it may be given beginning at age 9 years through age 26 years.
• Most adolescents 9 through 14 years of age should get HPV vaccine as a two-dose series with the doses separated by 6-12 months.
• People who start HPV vaccination at 15 years of age and older should get the vaccine as a three-dose series with the second dose given 1-2 months after the first dose and the third dose given 6 months after the first dose.

Why get vaccinated?

• HPV vaccine prevents infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) types that are associated with many cancers, including:
  – Cervical cancer in females
  – Vaginal and vulvar cancers in females
  – Anal cancer in females and males
  – Throat cancer in females and males
  – Penile cancer in males
• In addition, HPV vaccine prevents infection with HPV types that cause genital warts in both females and males.
• In the U.S., about 12,000 women get cervical cancer every year, and about 4,000 women die from it. HPV vaccine can prevent most of these cases of cervical cancer.

*Vaccination is not a substitute for cervical cancer screening. This vaccine does not protect against all HPV types that can cause cervical cancer. Women should still get regular Pap tests.

*HPV infection usually comes from sexual contact, and most people will become infected at some point in their life. About 14 million Americans, including teens, get infected every year.

*Most infections will go away on their own and not cause serious problems. But thousands of women and men get cancer and other diseases from HPV.

Some people should not get this vaccine:

• Anyone who has had a severe (life-threatening) allergic reaction to a dose of HPV vaccine should not get another dose.
• Anyone who has a severe (life threatening) allergy to any component of HPV vaccine should not get the vaccine.
• Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies that you know of, including a severe allergy to yeast.
• If you are ill, please contact your doctor before getting this (or other vaccines).

Risks of a vaccine reaction

• With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own, but serious reactions are also possible.
• Most people who get HPV vaccine do not have any serious problems with it.
• Mild or moderate problems following HPV vaccine include the following: reactions in the arm where the shot was given, fever, headaches and other problems.
• As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a serious injury or death.

What if there is a serious reaction? What should I look for?

Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or unusual behavior. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness.

What should I do? If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other emergency, call 9-1-1 or get to the nearest hospital.

For any questions, please feel free to contact us – https://pediatriccarectr.com/contact/

For more information, visit the vaccine safety site: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/index.html.
Source: https://www.healthychildren.org/

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.