HPV vaccine can prevent 90% of HPV-related cancers

The statistics surrounding human papillomavirus (HPV) are staggering. Eight out of ten people will get HPV at some point in their lives, and HPV is linked to over 47,000 new cancer cases annually in the United States.

Most HPV infections go away on their own with no long-term effects. However, some HPV infections go on to cause several types of cancer. The best way to help prevent HPV infection and the cancers it causes is to get vaccinated.

HPV can cause cancers of the:

• Anus in both women and men
• Cervix, vagina and vulva in women
• Penis in men
• Throat, back of the throat, and the base of the tongue and tonsils in both men and women

In addition to cancer, HPV infections can also lead to other health problems, such as genital warts. But these infections and the cancer they may cause are preventable with the HPV vaccine. HPV vaccination can prevent more than 90 percent of HPV cancers when given at the recommended ages.

Despite its prevalence, many people do not know about the potential risks associated with HPV. Talking about vaccinating against HPV can also make some adults uncomfortable because they may associate the vaccine with sexual activity. However, studies show that getting the HPV vaccine doesn’t make kids more likely to start having sex.

“You can focus the conversation with your child around the vaccine’s protection from up to six kinds of cancer,” says Lacy Rainey, MSN, MS, RN, FNP-C, director of Sentara Health Plans population care delivery.

Commonly asked questions about the HVP vaccine

1. When should my child get the HPV vaccine?
   
   The HPV vaccine is a two-dose vaccine. Virginia requires students entering the 7th grade to receive the complete series of two doses.
   
   Dose one should be given to female and male middle schoolers between 11 and 12 years old, but it can be given to children as young as 9. The second dose should be given 6 to 12 months after the first dose. Teens who start the HPV vaccine after their fifteenth birthday need three doses given over six months. Earlier protection works best.
   
   If this timeline is not followed, teens and young adults can also be vaccinated. If they are not fully vaccinated, everyone through age 26 should get the HPV vaccine. Unvaccinated men and women ages 27 to 45 can also get the HPV vaccine, though it may be less effective. Talk with your primary care team to weigh the benefits.
2. Why does my child need the HPV vaccination at such a young age?
   
   Vaccines are designed to protect before exposure to the disease. That’s why this vaccine is given earlier rather than later, to protect them well before exposure to the disease.
3. Do boys need the HPV vaccine?
   
   Early on, the vaccine was often recommended only for girls. But HPV is a widespread infection in women and men, and vaccination can help prevent future infections and cancer for men, too.
   
   Vaccination protects individuals who receive the vaccine and contributes to herd immunity, which occurs when a significant portion of the population becomes immune to a disease, making its spread less likely. This is particularly important for HPV, as it's primarily transmitted through sexual contact.
4. How well does the HPV vaccine work?
   
   Since HPV vaccination began in the U.S. in 2006, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers and genital waters have dropped 88 percent among teen girls. Research has also shown that fewer women are developing cervical precancers (abnormal cells on the cervix that can lead to cancer).
   
   “This vaccine is extremely effective and should be considered as important as other vaccines,” says Rainey.
5. Is the HPV vaccine safe?
   
   The HPV vaccine has been through safety testing, and over 15 years of monitoring and research continue to show that HPV vaccination is safe. Misinformation spread via social media can create worries for parents.
   
   “I understand the concerns. There’s a lot of inaccurate information about this vaccine. I recommend talking with your child’s pediatrician or family clinician because they are up-to-date on the latest research and have firsthand knowledge,” says Rainey.
   
   Despite safety concerns, serious health issues after HPV vaccination are consistently rare. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) shows that reports of severe health issues after HPV vaccination were extremely rare.
6. What about side effects?
   
   Though there are stories about teens fainting right before or after being vaccinated against HPV, the reality is that fainting before or during vaccination is likely caused by anxiety or stress about the injection and not by the vaccine. But to be safe, most pediatricians and healthcare providers will administer the shot while the patient is seated or lying down.
   
   The HPV vaccine may cause some pain, swelling and redness at the injection site. Like many other childhood vaccinations, it may cause headaches, tiredness, and nausea.
7. Can the HPV vaccine cause infertility?
   
   There is no current evidence that HPV vaccines cause reproductive problems in women. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reviewed reports and determined there’s no evidence that the vaccine caused this problem.
   
   On the flip side, women who develop an HPV precancer or cancer could require treatment that would keep them from being able to become pregnant. Preventing cervical cancer through HPV vaccination reduces this risk.

Getting the HPV vaccine is a crucial step in protection from HPV-related health conditions and cancers. You can take advantage of any visit, such as an annual check-up, sports physical, or yearly flu shot, with your child’s doctor to get recommended vaccines.

Schedule an appointment with a Sentara pediatrician to discuss your child’s vaccinations.