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HPV (Human papillomavirus) Vaccine

What is human papillomavirus (HPV)?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common preventable viral infection that spreads through close skin contact during sex. Almost everyone will get at least one type of HPV in their life. Most of the time, people don't have any symptoms, and the infection goes away on its own. But sometimes, the infection can stick around and might lead to serious problems later.

If HPV infections don't go away, they can cause:

  • Cancer of the cervix, vagina, or vulva in women
  • Cancer of the penis in men
  • Anal cancer
  • Throat cancer
  • Genital warts

Right now, almost 42 million people in the United States have HPV. Every year, about 13 million people, including teenagers, get infected with HPV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

There is a safe, effective and long-lasting HPV vaccine that can prevent the infections that most commonly cause cancer. By getting the HPV vaccine you protect yourself and your community from the possibility of dealing with entirely preventable HPV-attributed cancers later in life!

How does the HPV Vaccine protect Southwest Florida?

Since 2006, when doctors started recommending the HPV vaccine, the number of HPV infections that can cause cancer and warts has gone down a lot. For teen girls, it dropped by 88%, and for adult women, it dropped by 81%. In our area, getting the HPV vaccine helps keep people safe from infections that might have caused cancer or warts later on.

HPV Vaccine FAQ

The HPV vaccine is recommended for boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 12 years old, but can start as early as 9 years.

Vaccination is also recommended for teens and young adults through age 26 who either didn’t start or complete their HPV vaccine series.

The HPV vaccine isn’t usually recommended for people aged 27 to 45 because most individuals in this age group will have already been exposed to HPV. However, some people in this range might still get the vaccine after talking to their doctor and pharmacist about the benefits and their risk of new HPV infections.

Check out CDC recommendations for more information on the HPV vaccine.

Most people who get the HPV vaccine don't have any side effects. If there are side effects, they are usually mild and might include:

  • Pain, redness, or swelling in the arm where the shot was given

  • Fever

  • Feeling dizzy or fainting (it's more common for teens to faint after any vaccine, including the HPV vaccine)Headache or feeling tired

  • Nausea

  • Muscle or joint pain

It's important to remember that even if you have mild side effects, the HPV vaccine is safe, works well, and offers long-lasting protection against more serious HPV infections!

People that have received a single dose of the current HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9®) may have some protection, but it is important to receive all of the recommended doses to be fully protected. 

Ask you doctor or pharmacist how many doses are recommended for you.

The CDC reports that people who received the HPV vaccine and were followed for 12 years maintained high protection against HPV with no evidence of decreases over time.

Clinical pharmacists are available to answer your vaccine questions on Lee Health's MyChart portal.

If you don't have a MyChart account, signing up is quick and easy!

The information on this page was last verified by a clinical pharmacist in August of 2024.

For the latest updates on the HPV vaccine, check out the CDC's website on Vaccines and Preventable Diseases.

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Protect yourself from preventable diseases!