Should Teens Get The HPV Vaccine?
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a very common viral infection that can cause certain types of cancers and genital warts. The HPV vaccine is a powerful tool for preventing the spread of this virus, as well as potentially life-threatening cancers and other health complications that can come with it.
Many respected healthcare providers and organizations recommend that patients get the HPV vaccine in their teenage years. Here’s why the HPV vaccine for teens is so important and what to expect if you’ve decided to get your child vaccinated.
What is HPV?
HPV is a group of over 200 viruses primarily spread through sexual contact. It is the most common STI in the world, and roughly 85% of people get some form of HPV in their lifetime.
Some strains of HPV are low-risk. These strains can cause uncomfortable genital warts and other cervical changes. However, they have not been linked to cancer. Most people with low-risk HPV never know they have it, as most cases clear up on their own within one to two years.
Higher-risk strains of HPV have been linked with a variety of cancers, including cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, penile cancer, and cancers of the mouth and throat. These strains can also cause genital warts.
Not every case of high-risk HPV turns into cancer. As with low-risk strains, these cases can clear up independently without developing symptoms. However, approximately 10% of people who catch HPV develop a long-lasting, high-risk infection, which is far more likely to lead to cancer at some point.
What is the HPV Vaccine?
The HPV vaccine provides long-lasting protection against the high-risk HPV strains. In particular, all HPV vaccines protect against strains 16 and 18, which are responsible for more than 70% of cervical cancers and precancerous cervical lesions.
This vaccine is administered via a shot in the upper arm or thigh. Depending on your age and immune system strength, two or three doses are required for full protection.
The vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies that fight HPV. If you are exposed to HPV after getting the vaccine, your body will be able to identify and fight it off immediately, preventing long-term infections that can lead to cancer.
Why Should Teens Get the HPV Vaccine?
The healthcare community strongly recommends the HPV vaccine for teens and young adults because it provides crucial protection before potential exposure to HPV. Here’s why this vaccine is especially beneficial for teenagers.
Protection Before Exposure
Getting the HPV vaccine as a young teenager protects most individuals before their first exposure to the virus. HPV spreads through various forms of intimate skin-to-skin contact, including oral, vaginal, and anal sex, as well as other types of genital touching. Prolonged open-mouth kissing can also transmit the virus.
In the US, the average age for a first kiss is around 15 years old, while the average age for first sexual intercourse is around 17 years old. Although everyone’s timeline looks different, these statistics highlight that earlier is better regarding HPV protection.
Cancer Prevention
Since its introduction in 2006, the HPV vaccine has proven to be very effective in preventing cervical cancer, as well as other cancers that have been linked to HPV. One study found that there was a nearly 90% reduction rate of cervical cancer cases among women who had been vaccinated before the age of 17, as compared to those who had not been vaccinated.
While HPV can cause several different types of cancers, HPV infections and cervical cancer cases are deeply linked. Over 90% of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV, illustrating just how important this vaccine is for cancer prevention. It’s also estimated that around 29,000 cases of cancer per year could be avoided with vaccination.
Debunking Harmful Myths
Despite the proven safety and efficacy of the vaccine, unfortunately, there are many harmful myths out there. One of the most common myths about the HPV vaccine for teens is that it encourages early sexual activity. However, this is untrue.
Studies have indicated that there are no behavioral differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated teenagers when it comes to sexual activity levels. Teens are not more likely to have sex after getting the HPV vaccine.
This myth is very harmful, as it could deter parents from helping their children get vaccinated. Failing to get this vaccine leaves teens vulnerable to developing HPV, cervical cancer, genital warts, and more.
Who Should Get The HPV Vaccine and When?
In the United States, the CDC recommends that patients get the HPV vaccine in their early teenage years. The ideal age for vaccination is 11 to 12, although it’s safe for children as young as 9.
The vaccine is available to patients up to the age of 45. This means it’s not too late for older teenagers or young adults to get vaccinated and protect themselves against HPV. However, the vaccine generates the strongest immune system response in preteens and teens, meaning it is more effective at a young age.
For children under 15, they only need two doses of the vaccine. Teens and adults over 15 will require three doses. Those under 15 with compromised immune systems may also need a third dose.
For patients requiring only two doses, the second dose will follow six to 12 months after the first. Those who require three doses should take the second dose one to two months after the first, with a final dose six months after the first one.
Is the HPV Vaccine Safe for Teens?
Yes, the HPV vaccine is safe and approved for anyone between the ages of 9 and 45, including teenagers. It was extensively tested before its initial release in the early 2000s, and many studies since then have confirmed its efficacy.
Common Side Effects
There are some mild side effects associated with the HPV vaccine. Common HPV vaccine side effects in teenagers include:
- Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness and/or fatigue
- Muscle or joint aches
- Mild fever
These side effects are typically very mild and subside within a day or two. Many people do not experience any side effects from the HPV vaccine.
Boys Also Need the HPV Vaccine
The HPV vaccine is often marketed to girls and women, as the virus is so strongly linked with cervical cancer. However, boys can also benefit from getting the HPV vaccine.
In boys and men, HPV can cause cancers of the penis, anus, head, neck, and throat. There aren’t routine screenings currently available for many of these cancers, which makes them particularly dangerous. In many cases, the patient doesn’t obtain an official diagnosis until the cancer has passed beyond the initial stages.
Getting the HPV vaccine for boys during their teenage years can help reduce their risk of developing these cancers later in life.
When boys get the HPV vaccine, it also reduces the spread of the virus overall, which helps protect people of all genders. There aren’t currently any widely approved methods to test boys and men for HPV.
Because of this, men who contract HPV generally aren’t aware that they have it and can spread the virus to sexual partners without realizing it. In fact, a 2017 study found that 45% of men between the ages of 18 and 59 had some form of HPV infection.
Protect Your Teen Today
If you have a preteen or teenager at home, now is the perfect time to consult with their healthcare provider about the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine is most effective when administered at a young age and can help protect your child from cancers and other health complications later in life.
Make an appointment with Genesis OBGYN today to learn more about your HPV vaccine options. We have offices across Arizona, with options in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, and more.
FAQs
Can you get cervical cancer without HPV?
Yes, it is possible to get cervical cancer without having HPV, but it is very rare. Cervical cancer is responsible for over 90% of cervical cancer cases.
Does the vaccine protect against all strains of HPV?
The HPV vaccine protects against high-risk strains of HPV that are most likely to cause cervical cancer. The current HPV vaccine administered in the US is Gardasil-9, which protects against nine strains of HPV. However, the vaccine does not cover all strains of HPV.
Do boys need the HPV vaccine?
Yes, boys should get the HPV vaccine. HPV can cause cancers of the penis, anus, head, and neck in men and can also cause genital warts. Getting the vaccine can protect against these health complications.
Is HPV a live vaccine?
No, the HPV vaccine is not a live vaccine. Instead, it stimulates an immune response using a simulation of the HPV virus.
