HPV Vaccine in Five Minutes
HPV Vaccine: the whole thing in five minutes, for when you want the numbers and nothing else.
A vaccine that protects against the types of human papillomavirus most likely to cause cancer and genital warts.
Key takeaways
- Routine age: 11 to 12 years; can start at age 9
- Started before the 15th birthday: 2 doses, 6 to 12 months apart
- Most useful single change: Ask for the HPV vaccine at the same visit as other preteen vaccines.
- Commonest mistake: Waiting until a teen is sexually active, when the vaccine may protect less well.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Routine age | 11 to 12 years; can start at age 9 |
| Started before the 15th birthday | 2 doses, 6 to 12 months apart |
| Started at ages 15 to 26, or with a weakened immune system | 3 doses |
| Catch-up vaccination | recommended through age 26 |
| Ages 27 to 45 | not routine; talk with your doctor |
In one paragraph
HPV is linked to cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus and back of the throat, and the vaccine works best when given years before any exposure.
Worth doing
- Ask for the HPV vaccine at the same visit as other preteen vaccines
- Check that the full series is completed
- Sit or lie down for about 15 minutes after the shot, since fainting can happen after any vaccine in teens
- Keep up with cervical cancer screening from age 21, even if vaccinated
Worth avoiding
- Waiting until a teen is sexually active, when the vaccine may protect less well
- Restarting the series if a dose was missed; it can be continued
- Skipping it for boys, who also benefit
Related topics
- What the Guidance Really Says About Cervical Screening and HPV (Sexual Health)
- Cervical Screening: What the Evidence Actually Says (Women's Health)
- Vaccination: What the Evidence Actually Says (Immunity)
- Childhood Vaccinations: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise (Children's Health)
Where to go next
- A Q and A on HPV Vaccine
- HPV Vaccine: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
- HPV Vaccine — the reference entry
- Teen Health: The Complete Guide
- Teen Driving Safety: What the Evidence Actually Says
- Healthy Teen Relationships: What Published Guidance Supports
When to speak to a doctor
Call your doctor for a high fever or symptoms that worry you after vaccination. Call 911 for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing.
Where this comes from
- CDC — HPV Vaccination
- American Cancer Society — HPV Vaccines
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.
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