Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that can cause a range of health conditions from asymptomatic infection, to genital warts, to 6 different types of cancer developed as adults.
Almost everyone! 80% of all men and women will get HPV at some point in their lives. While some people remain asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, others will have an infection that leads to cancer.
HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. HPV effects the skin and areas of the body that have mucosal linings such as the mouth and throat, cervix, vagina and vulva, anus, and skin of the penis.
HPV vaccination is most effective when given before the possibility of exposure. Both boys and girls should get 2 doses around age 11-12, however vaccination can begin as young as age 9. Teens who begin their vaccination series after the age of 15 will need 3 doses, so don’t wait to vaccinate!
HPV vaccines prevent cancer!
Vaccination is the #1 way to prevent HPV infection, especially from several of the cancer-causing types of human papilloma virus. In addition to vaccination for prevention, condoms are an important tool for reducing risk of HPV exposure and cervical cancer screenings help women be sure that any instances of cervical cancer will be recognized and treated quickly.
- Talk to your child’s pediatrician about the HPV vaccine at their next well-child appointment.
- Visit our partner websites below to learn more about HPV vaccination.
- Be a HPV vaccine champion in your social media groups.
- Share your personal vaccination or HPV-related cancer stories.
Share factual information from reputable sources.
According to the National Immunization Survey – Teen, an estimated 76% of adolescents (13-17 years) in the United States were reported to have received at least one dose of HPV vaccine. Comparatively, an estimated 75.3% of adolescent Tennesseans were reported to have begun their HPV vaccine series. (See Figure 1) While these numbers are less than 1% apart, if we break the numbers down by gender, a large difference becomes apparent. In 2021, 81.6% of female adolescent Tennesseans were reported to have received at least one dose which is significantly higher than the national percentage (78.5%). However, the opposite is true when it comes to male adolescent Tennesseans (69.3%) and their national counterparts (75.4) during the same year. (See Figures 2 & 3) We have made continuous improvement in our vaccination rates among teen females, even surpassing the national percentage, but our teen males have fallen further behind.
National Immunization Survey – Teen, Hyattsville, MD: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022
National Immunization Survey – Teen, Hyattsville, MD: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022
National Immunization Survey – Teen, Hyattsville, MD: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022
