HPV vaccine

A shot can help keep you well.

It helps stop some bad germs. These germs can make people very sick.

These shots help stop a sickness called HPV. This sickness can cause cancer in many parts of the body. The shots help keep girls and boys safe.

Some shots protect against two types of germs. Other shots protect against four or even nine types. These shots help stop many kinds of cancer.

Doctors often give the shot to girls aged 9 to 14. Some places also give the shot to boys. It is a good way to stay healthy.

Many countries around the world use these shots. They help keep people from getting sick later in life.

An HPV vaccine is a shot that helps the body stay safe.

It helps people fight off a germ called HPV. This germ can cause many kinds of cancer. It can cause cancer in the neck of the womb. This is called cervical cancer.

There are different kinds of these vaccines. Some protect against two types of the germ. Others protect against four or even nine types. All of them protect against types 16 and 18. These two types cause 70% of cervical cancer cases in the world. The shots also help prevent genital warts.

Doctors often give these shots to young girls. They usually give them to girls aged 9 to 14. Some countries also give the shots to boys. The World Health Organization says these shots are very important. Many countries use them to keep people healthy.

In the United States, the shots can help. In 2012, the rate of some HPV germs dropped by half in teens.

Caption: A map shows how many girls get the shot. Caption: A box for a type of HPV vaccine. Caption: A syringe used to give the vaccine.

The HPV vaccine is a tool used to protect people from a germ called human papillomavirus. This germ can cause several types of cancer in both men and women.

The most common concern is cervical cancer, which happens in the neck of the womb. Most of these cancers are caused by the virus. The vaccine works by helping the body build immunity, or a way to fight the germ. This can stop the germ from causing sickness later on. It is a very important way to keep people healthy around the world.

There are different types of these vaccines available today. Some are called bivalent because they protect against two types of the germ. Others are quadrivalent, which means they protect against four types. The nonavalent vaccine is even broader and protects against nine different types. All of these vaccines protect against types 16 and 18. These two specific types cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases globally. The vaccines also help prevent genital warts. They can even help prevent cancers in the throat and other areas.

Scientists and doctors have worked hard to make these vaccines available. The first HPV vaccine became available back in 2006. Since then, many more have been made and tested. The World Health Organization (WHO) now includes these vaccines on its List of Essential Medicines. This means they are considered very important for health everywhere. Experts have found that these vaccines are highly effective. They are also considered very safe for the people who receive them.

Different groups of people receive the vaccine at different times. The WHO suggests giving the vaccine to girls aged 9 to 14 years. This is often done before they become sexually active. For women older than 21, the schedule might use two doses with a six-month gap.

As of 2023, 27% of girls aged 9 to 14 worldwide had received at least one dose. By November 2024, at least 144 countries included the vaccine in their national plans. Many countries are also starting to include boys in these programs.

Using these vaccines can help a whole community stay safe. This is sometimes called herd immunity, where many vaccinated people protect those who are not. In the United States, the vaccine has already helped a lot. By 2012, the rate of infection for some HPV types dropped by half in American teenagers.

Even though the vaccine is powerful, doctors still suggest regular check-ups. This is because the vaccine does not cover every single type of the germ. Staying careful helps ensure everyone stays as healthy as possible.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are medical tools designed to provide acquired immunity. This means they help the body learn to recognize and fight specific types of the human papillomavirus. These viruses are significant because they can lead to several types of cancer. The most common concern is cervical cancer, which occurs in the cervix. The World Health Organization (WHO) includes these vaccines on its List of Essential Medicines. This status shows they are vital for global public health.

There are currently six licensed HPV vaccines available. They are categorized by how many virus types they target. Bivalent vaccines protect against two types of HPV. Quadrivalent vaccines provide protection against four types. The nonavalent vaccine is the broadest, protecting against nine different types. All licensed vaccines protect against HPV types 16 and 18. These two specific types are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancer cases globally. The quadrivalent versions also protect against types 6 and 11. These two types are known to cause genital warts. The nonavalent vaccine adds protection against types 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.

These vaccines are highly effective at preventing various diseases. They may prevent 70% of cervical cancer cases and 80% of anal cancer. They also show 60% effectiveness against vaginal cancer and 40% against vulvar cancer. Interestingly, they are more than 90% effective in preventing HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers. These are cancers located in the throat area. The vaccines also protect against penile cancer. For genital warts, the quadrivalent and nonavalent vaccines provide virtually complete protection. However, these vaccines do not treat existing infections or cancers.

Since the first HPV vaccine became available in 2006, science has advanced. Researchers have studied how long the protection lasts. For Gardasil, protection against types 16 and 18 lasted at least eight years. Cervarix has shown protection for more than nine years. Scientists believe that booster shots may not be necessary. Recently, a 2025 study looked at Tanzanian girls vaccinated at ages 9–14. After 60 months, at least 99% remained seropositive for HPV-16. This means their bodies still showed signs of immunity after five years.

Vaccination schedules depend on the age of the person receiving the shot. The WHO recommends a one or two-dose schedule for girls aged 9–14. The same schedule applies to girls and women aged 15–20. For women older than 21, two doses are given with a six-month interval. In the United States, the CDC recommends two doses for those under 15. Those aged 15 and older in the US typically require three doses. A single-dose schedule is a newer development from around 2022. This is used in 57 countries as of September 2024.

Global efforts to distribute the vaccine are growing. As of November 2024, at least 144 countries included the vaccine in national plans. This represents at least 74% of WHO member states. By 2022, 47 countries also included boys in their programs. The primary target is usually adolescent girls aged 9–14. This is because vaccination is most effective before they become sexually active. The WHO aims for 90% coverage of girls by age 15.

Cervical cancer impacts different parts of the world in different ways. In 2020, 88% of cases occurred in low- and middle-income countries. These regions account for 90% of all cervical cancer deaths. In contrast, high-income countries account for only 2% of deaths. In the United States, the vaccine has already shown great success. By 2012, infection rates for types 6, 11, 16, and 18 dropped by half in teenagers. Vaccinating many people also creates herd immunity. This helps protect even those who are not vaccinated.

Even with vaccination, medical follow-ups are still very important. The vaccines do not cover every single high-risk type of HPV. Because of this, cervical cancer screening is still required. For example, women in the US are encouraged to have Pap smears starting at age 21. In Australia, doctors now use HPV DNA testing for screening. This method is the preferred way according to the WHO. Screening helps catch any changes that the vaccine might not have prevented.