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Encourage Human Papillomavirus Vaccination to Protect Against Cancers Later in Life

08/22/2025

HPV infections and pre-cancers have dropped since 2006, when HPV vaccines were first used in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC encourages providers to recommend HPV vaccination to parents and caregivers “in the same way and on the same day” as other vaccines for adolescents. 

Vaccination recommended on or between ages 9 and 13: The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine should begin as early as age 9, with the target of receiving two doses before age 13.

We track the quality measure Immunizations for Adolescents, which measures the percentage of 13-year-olds who complete the HPV vaccine series on or between ages 9 and 13. The doses must be at least 146 days apart. Learn more about meeting this quality measure. 

People 15 to 26 years old who start the series later need three doses over six months, rather than two, according to CDC recommendations. People with weakened immune systems should get three doses if they are 9 to 26 years old. 

Discussions with caregivers: The CDC has suggestions for providers on talking with parents and other caregivers about HPV vaccination. They recommend emphasizing:

  •  HPV vaccination works. HPV is common, infecting about 13 million people, including teens, each year in the U.S. Annually, about 36,000 men and women in the U.S. develop a cancer caused by HPV, including cancer of the cervix, back of the throat, anus, penis, vagina and vulva. Vaccination can prevent more than 90% of these cancers from ever developing.
  • Early protection works best. The HPV vaccine series is most effective when given before a person is exposed to the virus. There is no way to predict which patients who have HPV will develop cancer.
  • Vaccination provides safe, effective and long-lasting protection. Over 15 years of monitoring and research have shown that receiving the vaccination is safe. People who received HPV vaccines continued to have high levels of protection against HPV 12 years later.
  • HPV vaccination doesn’t cause fertility problems. However, people who develop a cancer caused by HPV could require treatment that would limit the ability to have children, such as a hysterectomy or chemotherapy. Learn more from the CDC.

For more information, see our resources:

 

The above material is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician or other health care provider. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the appropriate course of treatment. References to other third-party sources or organizations are not a representation, warranty or endorsement of such organization. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material, is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.