Immunizations - Resources

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is actually a group of 100 viruses, about 40 of which are sexually transmitted. Some HPV viruses can significantly increase the risks of cervical cancer, as well as cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, and penis. HPV is very common; an estimated 20 million people in the U.S. have it. At least half of all sexually active men and women will eventually be exposed the virus.

Two vaccines have been approved and are now recommended for the prevention of some types of HPV. Both vaccines protect against HPV strains 16 and 18, which account for 70% of cervical cancer cases in the United States.

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• The Gardasil vaccine is nearly 100% effective against cervical, vaginal, and vulvar diseases caused by 4 types of HPV (HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18). It is less effective in women who were exposed to the virus before they were vaccinated. The vaccine has been shown to be effective for 5 years after women receive the initial dose. In September 2008, the FDA also approved Gardasil for the prevention of vaginal and valvular cancers caused by HPV 16 and 18.
• A new vaccine, Cervarix, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 2009. This vaccine protects against HPV strains 16 and 18 only. As such, it will not prevent genital warts but would still protect against the strains that cause the majority of cervical cancers.

Who Should be Vaccinated for HPV?

Currently, two vaccines are approved by the FDA to prevent either human papillomavirus (HPV) or cervical cancer: Gardasil and Cervarix.

Gardasil is approved for:

• Girls and women ages 9-26, for the protection against HPV-16 and HPV-18, the HPV strains that cause most cases of cervical cancer, and against HPV-6 and HPV-11, which cause 90% of cases of genital warts.
• Boys and young men ages 9 - 26 years to prevent genital warts

Cervarix:

• Girls and women ages 10 - 26 for protection against HPV-16 and HPV-18, the HPV strains that cause most cases of cervical cancer.
• Cervarix does not protect against genital warts.
• Cervarix has not been approved for use in boys or men.