HPV Vaccination 

Every year in the United States, the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes more than 37,000 cases of cancer in men and women.

Most of those cancers could be prevented with vaccination.

The HPV vaccine has been approved for almost 20 years and has a safe track record, with more than 135 million doses distributed in the U.S. alone. And now we are beginning to see the results: cases of cervical cancer and deaths from cervical cancer are down in the first group of women to be vaccinated. As this first group ages, we expect to see fewer cases of other types of cancer that show up at older ages.

What cancers are caused by HPV?

HPV causes six types of cancer:

• Anal.
• Cervical.
• Oropharyngeal (throat).
• Penile.
• Vaginal.
• Vulvar.

The human papillomavirus

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is actually a collection of about 200 related viruses. These viruses are very common – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that almost everyone will get HPV at some point.

HPV is sexually transmitted, and about 40% of people between the ages of 15 and 59 have HPV at any given time.

Most of the time, the body can clear the infection. But there are certain high-risk strains of the virus that can stick around and cause cancer. These strains are the ones that the vaccine targets.

When HPV does cause cancer, there usually aren’t symptoms right away. This is why screening is also important. There is a recommended screening test for cervical cancer that looks for changes at the cellular level. A screening test for anal cancer is under review. However, there aren’t any tests at the cellular level for oropharyngeal, penile, vaginal or vulvar cancer. Getting vaccinated is the best defense against these six cancers.

Vaccination rates & timelines

Healthy People 2030 set a goal of having 80% of adolescents vaccinated against HPV. Right now, nationally, about 57% of adolescents aged 13 to 15 have been vaccinated.

Public health professionals recommend that people get vaccinated as young adolescents, before sexual activity. This gives the body the best chance of developing immunity and deflecting the virus.

The vaccine can be given up to age 26 for anyone who missed out on earlier vaccination. People ages 27 to 46 can talk to their doctors about whether the vaccine makes sense for them.

Hollings supports the Healthy People 2030 goal through the Mobile Vaccination Unit.

This van travels to counties throughout South Carolina to offer childhood vaccines, including the HPV vaccine. Van staff also offer town hall events to answer parents’ questions about the vaccine.