HPV strains spread through sexual contact and are linked to the majority of cases of cervical cancer. Gardasil 9 is an HPV vaccine that has been approved by the United States' Food and Drug Administration, and it is appropriate for both girls and boys.
HPV vaccination is recommended between the ages of 11 and 12 years. Children as young as nine years old can receive HPV vaccines. All teens require HPV vaccination to protect them from HPV infections that can lead to cancer later in life.
If you are 26 years old and has not gotten the vaccine yet, you also need HPV vaccination.
In theory, immunizing boys against the types of HPV associated with cervical cancer could help protect girls by lowering transmission of the virus.
Who Should Get the HPV Vaccine and When Should They Get It?
CDC recommends that girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 12 receive the HPV vaccine. It can be given as young as nine years old. It is preferable for girls and boys to get the vaccine before having sexual contact and being exposed to HPV. Receiving the vaccine at a young age, according to research, is not associated with an earlier start of sexual activity.
The vaccine may be less effective once someone has been infected with HPV. Also, younger children respond better to the vaccine than adults.
According to the CDC, all 11- and 12-year-olds should get two doses of HPV vaccine at least six months apart. Younger adolescents (ages 9 and 10) and teens (ages 13 and 14) can also be immunized in two doses. According to research, the two-dose timeline is efficient for children under the age of 15.
Teens and adults starting the vaccine series later, between the ages of 15 and 26, must complete 3 doses of the vaccine.
The CDC recommends catch-up HPV vaccinations for anyone under the age of 26 who has not been adequately vaccinated.
Gardasil 9 was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in males and females aged 9 to 45. If you're between the ages of 27 and 45, talk to your doctor about getting the HPV vaccine.
Who Shouldn't Get an HPV Vaccine?
Inform your doctor if you have any life-threatening allergies. Some people should not receive certain HPV vaccines if they:
- They have ever had a potentially fatal allergic reaction to an HPV vaccine ingredient.
- Allergic to yeast (Gardasil and Gardasil 9).
- Pregnant
People suffering from a moderate or severe illness should wait until they recover.
Is it Effective?
HPV vaccination is incredibly efficient. More than 90% of HPV-related cancers could be prevented with an HPV vaccine.
Here are the pros and cons:
The protection given by HPV vaccines is long-lasting. Individuals who received HPV immunization were followed for at least 12 years, and their defense against HPV remained high, with no evidence of deterioration as time passed.
Side Effects
- Redness or swelling in the injected area.
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Feeling tired
- Nausea
- Muscle discomfort
Adults should be seated or lying down during vaccination and for 15 minutes afterward to avoid fainting and injury from fainting.
Fertility
The HPV vaccine has no impact on fertility.
Individuals who develop HPV-related cancer will require medical attention that may limit their capacity to have children, such as hysterectomy (for women), chemo, and radiation.
Treatment for cervical precancer may also put women at risk for cervix problems, which can lead to early labor.
Where Can You Get These Vaccines?
Doctor's offices, community health clinics, school-based health centers, and health departments may have HPV vaccine on hand.
If your doctor does not have HPV vaccine on hand, request a referral.