HPV vaccine: protect yourself and your loved ones
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the U.S. Many people don’t know they have HPV. This is because it typically doesn't have symptoms and may go away on its own. There are many strains of HPV. HPV can affect men and women. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts. Some types of HPV are associated with cancer.1, 2
Getting vaccinated against HPV can protect you from HPV infections that cause cancer.3
What are the benefits of the HPV vaccine?
HPV causes about 37,300 cancer cases every year in the U.S. The HPV vaccine can help prevent:4, 5
- More than 90% of cancers from HPV
- Abnormal cells that can become cancer
- Nearly all cases of cervical cancer
- Almost all cases of genital warts
The HPV vaccine is safe and works well to protect you from the types of HPV that can cause cancer. It works best if you get all the shots before you come into contact with the virus.6
Are there side effects of the HPV vaccine?
Most people who get the HPV vaccine do not have any side effects. Some people may have mild side effects, like a sore arm where they got the shot.6
The most common side effects are:6
- Pain, redness or swelling in the arm
- Fever
- Dizziness or fainting (teens are more likely to faint after any vaccine)
- Headache or feeling tired
- Nausea
- Muscle or joint pain
To help prevent fainting, teens should sit or lie down when they get the shot and for 15 minutes after.
What is the recommended HPV vaccination schedule?
The HPV vaccine works best when you get it at a younger age. This is because pre-teens make more antibodies after getting the vaccine than older kids and teens. You can get the HPV vaccine at the same visit as other vaccines.5
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend vaccinating kids against HPV when they are ages 9-12. This lets them build immunity against the virus before they’re exposed to it. Most children who get their first dose of the HPV vaccine before age 15 need 2 doses. The doses should be given 6 to 12 months apart.5, 6, 7, 8
If you get the HPV vaccine at age 15 or older, or if you have certain immune problems, you need 3 shots. These shots are given over 6 months.5
In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said people ages 27 to 45 can now get the HPV vaccine. It is best to get all the shots before becoming sexually active. Talk with your doctor to see if the vaccine is right for you.4
How effective is the HPV vaccine?
Studies show the HPV vaccine works very well at stopping infections from the types of HPV that cause cancer. This is especially true if you get the vaccine before you become sexually active. It can take years for HPV to cause cancer.9
Getting the HPV vaccine can protect you from HPV infections that cause cancer in different parts of the body, including:3
- Cervix
- Inside the vagina
- Outside the vagina (vulva)
- Penis
- Anus
- Rectum
- Throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharyngeal cancer)
Most cases of throat cancer are linked to an uncommon, but high-risk strain of HPV. Having an oral HPV infection doesn’t mean you will develop cancer.10
Research shows the vaccine lowers the risk of getting precancer or cancer in the cervix, vagina and vulva. Studies in men showed that the vaccine can prevent cell changes in the anus that might lead to cancer.9
Protection from HPV lasts at least 6 years, and up to 11 years, depending on the vaccine given. Scientists are still studying how long the protection will last.9
Who should get the HPV vaccine?
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends HPV vaccination for:8
- Kids aged 11–12. It can be given starting at age 9.
- People with weakened immune systems aged 9 through 26.
- Adults age 27 to 45 who did not get the vaccine when they were younger, if recommended by their provider. Getting the vaccine at this age may not help as much because many adults have already been exposed to HPV.
If you are pregnant, wait until after your pregnancy to get the HPV vaccine.2
If you already have HPV or an abnormal Pap test, you should still get the HPV vaccine if you are between 9 and 26 years old. The vaccine can protect you from HPV types you don’t have yet. It won’t cure an infection you already have or fix abnormal Pap results.9
How to talk to your doctor about getting the HPV vaccine
If your child or teen is between 9 and 12 years old and hasn’t started the HPV vaccine, talk to their doctor at their next visit or make an appointment soon.5 If you don’t have one, learn how to find a provider.
You can usually get the HPV vaccine at your doctor’s office. If your doctor doesn't have it, ask for a place where you can get it. Pharmacies, clinics or health departments may also offer the vaccine.6 If you’re a UnitedHealthcare member, sign in to your member account to find a vaccine location.
Frequently asked questions about HPV
Certain types of HPV can cause genital warts. These warts spread through direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or sometimes oral sex with someone who has HPV. Anyone who is sexually active can get genital warts.11
You are more likely to spread HPV when warts are present. You can pass the virus on to others even if you don’t see any warts or symptoms.11
The types of HPV that cause genital warts are not the same as the ones that cause warts on your hands or feet. You cannot get genital warts by touching warts on other parts of your body.11
Most people with oral HPV do not have any symptoms. Sometimes, people get sores. Warts or sores can show up on your lips, inside your mouth or in your throat. If you get warts from oral HPV, they usually show up 3–6 months after you get the virus.10
Because mouth HPV usually has no symptoms, you might not know you have it. This means you could give the virus to someone else without knowing.10
Genital warts are small, painless bumps that look like small pieces of cauliflower. They might be hard to see and can be smooth or rough, big or small. You may have one wart or several.11
HPV spreads when people touch each other's skin during close contact. Most often, it spreads when someone with HPV has vaginal, oral or anal sex. HPV usually does not cause symptoms. People can have it and give it to others without knowing.3
There is no cure for HPV. Most of the time, HPV goes away by itself. If it does not, doctors can treat the genital warts or changes to cervical cells that HPV can cause.1
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