Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:
HPV Vaccination
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. Most of the time HPV has no symptoms so people do not know they have it.
There are approximately 40 types of genital HPV. Somes types can cause cervical cancer in women and can also cause other kinds of cancer in both men and women. Other types can cause genital warts in both males and females. The HPV vaccine works by preventing the most common types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. It is given as a 3-dose vaccine.

What You Should Know:
For Health Professionals:
For the Media:
What You Should Know
- Genital HPV Infection
Statistics, treatment, resources, facts, etc. - Cervical Cancer
Explains what cervical cancer is and describes the Pap Test- Making Progress against Cervical Cancer JanUARY 2009
- HPV Infection Fact Sheet for the Public
Includes Q&A about genital warts, cancer, etc. - Pictures of HPV
Warning: Some of these photos might be unsuitable for children. Viewing discretion is advised.
At A Glance: The HPV vaccine is routinely recommended for girls 11 and 12 years of age and is given in a series of three injections over a six-month period. The second and third doses should be given two and six months (respectively) after the first dose.
The vaccine is also recommended for girls and women 13 through 26 years of age who did not receive it when they were younger. HPV vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.
- Questions & Answers about HPV Vaccine
- Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
- Side Effects
- School Vaccine Requirements
As with all vaccines, there can be minor reactions, including pain and redness at the injection site, headache, fatigue or a vague feeling of discomfort.
- Questions and Answers about HPV Vaccine Safety
- Qs and As for the Public on the Safety and Effectiveness of HPV Vaccine (Updated July 2008)
- Information from CDC & FDA on the Safety of Gardasil® Vaccine
- CDC's Vaccine Safety website
For Health Professionals
Clinical Information on HPV
- Brochure--HPV Information for Clinicians
- Clinicans’ resources on Genital HPV Infection
- HPV & HPV Vaccine - Info for Healthcare Providers
- Ask the Experts about HPV

CDC experts answer your clinical questions (Immunization Action Coalition)
Vaccine Recommendations on HPV
- ACIP recommendations
- CDC Statement on the Cost-Effectiveness of HPV Vaccine New August 2008
- Standing Orders

- Contraindications
- ACIP - Vaccines for Children (VFC) Resolution
References and Resources
- Pink Book's chapter on HPV
(October 2008)
Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases textbook - Surveillance manual's chapter on HPV
Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases textbook - Statistics
- Pre-teen Vaccine Campaign materials
Posters, flyers, web banners and web buttons
Provider Education
- Human Papillomavirus
Brochure: Info for Clinicians
Brochure on transmission, prevention, detection & clinical management of HPV - Webcast: HPV & Cervical Cancer: An Update on Prevention Strategies August, 2005
- Recorded broadcast: HPV: The Disease and Vaccine
- 2009 Clinical education slide set
[PDF - 172KB] UPDATED May 2009
from the 11th edition "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" course - Educator's resources
- Podcasts on HPV Vaccination
Materials for Patients
- Questions and Answers about HPV Vaccine Safety
- Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
- HPV and Pre-teen Vaccine Campaign Flyers and Posters
- Common Questions about HPV & Cervical Cancer for Women who Have HPV
- Genital HPV--Common Infection Common Reality
- What Every Woman Should Know About Cervical Cancer & HPV

American Cancer Society (ACS) fact sheet - Virus del Papiloma Humano (VPH) - Las vacunas y las enfermedades que previenen
(Spanish materials)
For the Media
- FDA approves new vaccine, Cervarix, for prevention of
cervical cancer caused by HPV types 16 and 18 NEW Oct 2009
For use in girls and women ages 10 years through 25 years - FDA approved use of the vaccine Gardasil for prevention of genital warts (condyloma acuminata) due to HPV types 6 and 11 NEW Oct 2009
For boys and men ages 9 through 26 years - Reports to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) following HPV Vaccination Updated October 2008
- CDC’s Advisory Committee Recommends Human Papillomavirus Virus Vaccination
Media advisory, June 2006 - CDC Signs Federal Contract for HPV Vaccine

- FDA
Licenses New Vaccine for Prevention of Cervical
Cancer and Other Diseases in Females Caused by
HPV

FDA media release (June 2006) - Report
to Congress: Prevention of Genital
Human Papillomavirus Infection
(207 KB/35 pages)
(January 2004)
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Content last reviewed on October 16, 2008
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
