Health Library

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

(HPV Vaccine)

What Is Human Papillomavirus?

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a group of more than 100 viruses. Certain types of HPV can cause genital warts, which are growths or bumps that appear:

On the vulva
In or around the vagina or anus
On the cervix
On the penis, scrotum, groin, or thigh

Some strains of HPV are linked to cervical cancer. Although it is less common, some strains are linked to cancers of the vulva, anus, throat, or penis.

HPV is easily spread during oral, genital, or anal sex with an infected partner.

Many people will be exposed to a form of HPV at some point in their lives. Not all will become infected or develop symptoms.

What Is the HPV Vaccine?

The HPV vaccine contains virus-like particles that are not infectious. These particles produce antibodies to prevent HPV from infecting cells. The vaccine is given by injection into the muscle.

The vaccine Gardasil protects against four types of HPV strains. It may be used to prevent the following conditions:

In females:
- Cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulvar, and anus
- Precancerous lesions on the genitals
- Genital warts
In males:
- Anal cancer
- Genital warts

Another vaccine called Cervarix protects against 2 types of HPV strains. It is used to prevent cervical cancer and cervical pre-cancer in women.

Who Should Get Vaccinated and When?

The vaccine is recommended for girls as a 3-dose series between 11-12 years old. Girls should be vaccinated before their first sexual contact for the vaccine to be most effective. Girls and women aged 13-26 years who did not receive the HPV vaccine when they were younger should still receive the vaccine series.

It is recommended that boys receive 3 doses of Gardasil beginning at age 11-12 years. Boys and men aged 13-21 years who did not receive the HPV vaccine when they were younger should still receive the vaccine series.

Men aged 22-26 years may also be vaccinated. Men in this age group should be vaccinated if they have sex with other men, have HIV infection, or have a weak immune system due to other illnesses or medications.

What Are the Risks Associated With the HPV Vaccine?

Research suggests that the vaccine does not appear to cause any serious side effects. Like any vaccine, it has the potential to cause serious problems, such as a severe allergic reaction.

Some problems have been associated with the HPV vaccines, like pain, redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site. Other side effects include:

Gardasil
- Headache
- Mild to moderate fever
- Fainting
Cervarix
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Fainting

Who Should Not Get Vaccinated?

Do not get the vaccine if you:

Had a life-threatening allergic reaction to yeast or any other component of the vaccine
Are a pregnant woman (the effects are still being studied)
Are moderately or severely ill (wait until you have recovered)

What Other Ways Can HPV Be Prevented Besides Vaccination?

Avoiding physical contact with an infected sexual partner is the only way to completely prevent the spread of an HPV infection. Latex condoms may help reduce the spread of HPV infection and genital warts. However, condoms are not 100% effective because they cannot cover the entire genital area.

Other preventive measures include:

Sexual abstinence
Having only one sexual relationship (monogamous)
Regular check-ups for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Pap smears for women (starting at age 21)

What Happens in the Event of an Outbreak?

According to the CDC, about 6 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV infections are reported each year. Twenty million people in the US are already infected. HPV vaccines cannot treat infections that already exist. The best way to prevent further spread of the disease is to get the vaccine before becoming infected.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

National Cancer Institute

http://www.cancer.gov/

Vaccine and Immunizations

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

Baker CJ, Pickerling LK, Chilton L, et al. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Recommended adult immunization schedule: United States, 2011. Ann Intern Med. 2011;154(3):168-173.

Carter JR, Ding Z, Rose BR. HPV infection and cervical disease: a review. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2011;51(2):103-108.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended immunization schedules for persons aged 0-18 years—United States, 2011. MMWR. 2011;60(5).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010. MMWR. 2010;59(No. RR-12):1-110.

Heffernan ME, Garland SM, Kane MA. Global reduction of cervical cancer with human papillomavirus vaccines: insights from the hepatitis B virus vaccine experience. Sex Health. 2010;7(3):383-390.

HPV vaccine (Cervarix): What you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-hpv-cervarix.pdf. Updated May 3, 2011. Accessed November 26, 2012.

HPV vaccine (Gardasil): What you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-hpv-gardasil.pdf Updated February 22, 2012. Accessed November 29, 2012.

Recommended adult immunization schedule—United States, 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;6(4). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/mmwr-adult-schedule.pdf. Accessed November 29, 2012.

United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FDA licensure of quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV4, Gardasil) for use in males and guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2010;59(20):630-632.

5/18/2007 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: The FUTURE II Study Group. Quadrivalent vaccine against human papillomavirus to prevent high-grade cervical lesions. N Engl J Med. 2007;356:1915-1927.

10/23/2009 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamicmedical.com/what.php: FDA approves new indication for Gardasil to prevent genital warts in men and boys. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm187003.htm. Published October 16, 2009. Accessed October 22, 2009.

1/19/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: Recommended immunization schedules for persons aged 0 Through 18 years—United States, 2010. MMWR. 2010;58(51&52):1-4.

6/4/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: FDA licensure of bivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV2, Cervarix) for use in females and updated HPV vaccination recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR. 2010;59(20):626-629.

1/4/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: US Food and Drug Administration. Gardasil approved to prevent anal cancer. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm237941.htm. Updated December 22, 2010. Accessed January 4, 2011.

Last reviewed March 2013 by Brian Randall, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.