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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

Routine Vaccination:

HPV vaccine is routinely recommended for girls aged 11-12 years. Doctors may give the vaccine to girls as young as nine years. It is important for girls to get HPV vaccine before their first sexual contact because they have not yet been exposed to HPV. The vaccine can prevent 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts caused by the four types of HPV in the vaccine. If a girl or woman is already infected with a type of HPV, the vaccine will not prevent disease from that type.

Catch-up vaccination:

The vaccine is also recommended for girls and women aged 13-26 years who did not receive it when they were younger.

HPV vaccine is given as a three-dose series:

• First dose: now.
• Second dose: two months after first dose.
• Third dose: six months after first dose.

Additional booster doses are not recommended. HPV vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Washington State is currently supplying:

• HPV vaccine from Merck Vaccine Division, brand name, Gardasil. The vaccine has normal availability.

Immunization Guidelines for the Use of State-Supplied Vaccine (PDF, 88 KB) December 29, 2009
Vaccine Management - Recommendation for Storage and Handling of Vaccines

Vaccine Information Statements:

• HPV

Fact Sheet:

• HPV Vaccine Fact Sheet (PDF, 38 KB)
• Addressing Questions About Gardasil

Related Information:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Questions and Answers Concerning the Safety and Efficacy of Gardasil?  (PDF, 21 KB) (June 2007)
• Immunization Program Update: Implementation of HPV, Rotavirus, and Second Dose Varicella  (PDF, 57 KB) (Apr. 2007)
• Medicaid Providers Letter  (PDF, 100 KB) (Sept. 06)

External Resources:

• National Immunization Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Locate my local health department

 

Last Update: 01/12/2010 08:39 AM