A Guide to the HPV Vaccine

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Our Author:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

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Maria Robinson, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist. She has a special interest in nutrition and how it can be used to treat disease and optimize health. Maria believes that education is the foundation for good health, and she enjoys helping others learn how to improve their own. She can be found writing about skin and nutrition at DietandDerm.com.

For this guide, she dug deep into scientific studies evaluating the safety and effectiveness of HPV vaccines, and recommendations from public health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Cancer Society, and the National Cancer Institute.

What is the HPV vaccine?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps prevent HPV infection, a common virus passed between people during intimate sexual contact (including any close skin-to-skin contact between the genital areas and mouth). There are many types of HPV, and several of them can cause genital warts and different types of cancer, like cancer of the cervix, genitals, or throat.

Each year, there are over 35,000 new cases of cancer that can be linked to an HPV infection. Most of them affect people with typical female parts, but about 40% happen in people with typical male parts. Over 90% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV, and almost all of these can be prevented by the HPV vaccine. For the vaccine to be effective, it’s important to get it before you’ve been exposed to HPV.

The HPV vaccine that is available in the U.S. is called Gardasil 9, and it’s given as an injection in the arm in two or three doses over a 6- to 12-month period.

What is human papillomavirus?

There are over 200 types of HPV, and they are generally divided into two main groups:

1. “Low-risk” HPV types cause genital warts.

2. “High-risk” HPV types cause cancer.

So far, scientists have identified 13 high-risk types, which can cause cancer of the:

• Cervix

• Vulva

• Vagina

• Penis

• Anus

• Mouth and throat (oropharynx)

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. In fact, 85% of people will have an HPV infection sometime in their life, and they may not even realize it. About 90% of those infections will go away on their own within 2 years. The ones that don’t go away may cause changes in the body that can eventually lead to cancer. They do this by turning normal cells into abnormal ones that can later become cancerous. This process can take years, or even decades, after getting an HPV infection.

How does the HPV vaccine work?

The HPV vaccine protects you from certain types of HPV. It uses parts of the virus to stimulate your immune system to produce antibodies against HPV. If you’re exposed to those types of HPV in the future, your immune system is ready to quickly produce antibodies to block the virus and prevent infection.

It’s important to note that the vaccine doesn’t contain any genetic material from the virus, so it can’t cause an infection. The vaccine also doesn’t work once you’ve already been exposed to the virus.

How effective is the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is very effective at preventing precancers (abnormal cells that can turn into cancer), cancers, and genital warts caused by HPV. Since it was first used almost 15 years ago, the HPV vaccine has helped:

• Decrease HPV infections in girls and young women by more than 70%

• Lower the number of cervical precancers by 40%

• Lower the rates of precancers in the anus by more than 45%

Who should get the HPV vaccine? 

The HPV vaccine is recommended for children of all genders between ages 9 and 12. Young adults who weren’t vaccinated as children should also get the HPV vaccine. The vaccine is given in 2 or 3 doses, depending on how old you are.

At what age can you get the HPV vaccine?

• Children aged 9 to 12 years: The first dose is recommended between age 11 and 12, but it can be given to kids as young as 9 years old. Children who get it at a younger age are less likely to have already been exposed to HPV and may be more likely to get both doses. The second dose is given 6 to 12 months after the first dose.

• People between 13 and 26 years: The HPV vaccine is recommended for people in this age group who didn’t get it when they were younger. If you get it after age 14, you will need three doses (instead of two) over a 6-month period.

• People between 27 and 45 years: The HPV vaccine is generally not recommended for people over 26, but some who haven’t been vaccinated in the past may decide to get it anyway. Many adults in this age range may have already been exposed to HPV, so the vaccine may not provide as much benefit. Talk to your provider to see what is best for you.

Who shouldn’t get the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant people or for people with allergies to any of the vaccine’s ingredients (which can be found here).

How long does the HPV vaccine last?

Studies have shown that immunity from the HPV vaccine can last for a pretty long time. So far, some people who have received the vaccine have been studied for 10 years, and their immune systems are still actively fighting HPV. Scientists continue to study the vaccine to see how long the effects last.

Is the HPV vaccine safe? 

All three HPV vaccines are very safe. They were studied in thousands of people before being approved, and so far over 120 million doses have been given in the U.S., and more than 150 million have been given around the world. The CDC and FDA continue to monitor the safety of the HPV vaccine.

What does the HPV vaccine do to your body?

Like any vaccine, the HPV vaccine can be associated with some side effects. These are usually mild and go away quickly. Common side effects include:

• Pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given

• Fever

• Dizziness or fainting (this is more common in young people who get it)

• Nausea

• Headache

• Feeling tired

• Muscle or joint pain

Common concerns 

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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