Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination isn’t just for tweens, teens, and young adults. While it’s best to get the vaccine early, many adults are surprised to learn they may still have the chance to protect themselves later in life. In 2006, HPV vaccination was only recommended for girls and women up to age 26.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e3068221-e2e6-4486-b780-02c78f8cd63f As of 2019, however, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval was expanded to include adults — male and female — ages 27 to 45 under a shared decision-making model. That means you and your doctor decide together whether the vaccine is right for you.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976296d5eadb7-8f98-4b68-b3d4-8a8f22778eee Since 2019, there’s been a sharp increase in HPV vaccination among adults in this age group.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629bc29bbdc-c65a-4d78-9bf5-eb24f51512e5 If you’ve missed your routine HPV vaccination for any reason, you may still have the chance to get protected against future infection and HPV-related cancers.
Why HPV Vaccination Still Matters for Adults HPV Vaccination in Adults HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299e65d1c9-8244-4826-8e6a-8360fce03578 Almost everyone who is sexually active will be exposed to HPV at some point. Most infections clear up on their own, but some may persist and cause cancer. Each year in the United States, HPV causes about:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297bf82139-a325-4aea-9451-ac7d2c7f751d 11,000 cases of cervical cancer 7,000 cases of anal cancer 15,000 cases of mouth and throat cancer (head and neck cancer) Thousands more cases of vaginal, vulvar, and penile cancers The Gardasil 9 vaccine (also called the 9-valent HPV vaccine) protects against seven high-risk HPV types that cause the majority of these cancers, along with two types of HPV that cause genital warts.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b767341a-9477-4280-a635-972ce1d3cab5 Even if you’ve been sexually active for years, you probably haven’t been exposed to all of the virus strains that the vaccine covers.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762907dac5d2-bc8c-4e25-a92b-83616a9c3547 That means you could still get meaningful protection — even in your 30s or 40s — against HPV types you haven’t yet encountered. For some adults, especially those with a new partner or those who may be exposed to HPV in the future, vaccination could help prevent infections that might otherwise develop into cancer years later.
HPV Vaccine Schedule HPV Vaccine Schedule The HPV vaccine is routinely recommended at age 11 to 12, though it can be started as early as age 9.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629dce19824-5537-4a80-9a08-ad61ef6799ee If someone misses this window, “catch-up” vaccination is recommended through age 26. After that (ages 27 to 45), it’s not given automatically. You and your doctor should have a conversation to decide together if it’s right for you. The number of doses given will depend on the age when you start the vaccine series: Ages 9 to 14: Two doses, spaced 6 to 12 months apart. Age 15 or older: Three doses over six months.
Is HPV Vaccination Right for You? Is It Right for You? Research has shown that HPV vaccination is safe and can still provide protection later in life.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d48a6730-5ba0-4f22-8855-6f15f75cff27 This doesn’t mean everyone should get it, however. Instead, you and your doctor can talk it over together, looking at the potential benefits and limitations of HPV vaccination. You can start the conversation with your doctor for any reason, says Jessica S. Wells, PhD, RN , an associate professor of nursing and a board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner at Emory University School of Nursing in Atlanta. “It’s common for adults to go through life changes — like starting a new relationship after a divorce or shifts in a partnership — that can influence their health needs. When patients share these kinds of experiences, it opens the door to talk about how to help them stay protected, including from new HPV exposure and infection,” she says “Our goal is to support your decision with good information,” says Dr. Wells. In practice, that means you might need to bring it up first. Not every clinician will mention HPV vaccination automatically if you’re an older adult. But if you ask, they will guide you through whether it could still make sense for you. How to Take the First Step If you’re curious about HPV vaccination, here are some initial steps you can take to learn more: Explore your options. Look up a trusted resource, like this free HPV vaccine decision tool ( HPV Vaccine Decide ) developed by researchers at The University of Texas School of Public Health, San Antonio. It can help you think through your personal situation and decide whether HPV vaccination may be right for you. Think about your vaccination history . If you’re unsure whether you’ve received the HPV vaccine, you can check your state’s immunization registry through the department of health, or ask your current and past clinics where you may have gotten vaccinated. Ask a clinician . Next time you’re at a doctor’s office or pharmacy, ask if you’re eligible. You could say: “I’m interested in the HPV vaccine. Could we go over if it’s right for me?”
The Takeaway There are many types of HPV, and the vaccine can protect you from HPV types you haven’t yet been exposed to. Skipping the HPV vaccine in your childhood or early 20s doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance. If you’re between 27 and 45 and have not been fully vaccinated against HPV, you may still be able to get the vaccine. Talk with your doctor or other clinician about whether you could still benefit from HPV vaccination to decide together if it makes sense for you.
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