Protect Your Family with The HPV Vaccine
Protect Your Family with the HPV Vaccine (Text Version)
HPV is a common virus and can have serious consequences.
In the United States…
Approximately
- 79 million people have been infected with HPV [map of the United States]
- 14 million people get a new HPV infection every year [illustration of four stick figures]
- 8 in 10 sexually active people will get at least one type of HPV in their lives [hourglass icon]
Being infected with HPV can lead to…
- Cancer of the cervix, penis, anus, mouth, and throat
- Genital warts
[Magnifying glass illustration]
Protect both your sons and daughters from cancer with the HPV vaccine
Protect your daughter:
Each year, there are 12,000 cases of cervical cancer leading to over 4,000 deaths in women.
[Illustration of a girl]
Protect your son:
Each year, there are 9,300 cases of HPV-related cancers in men.
[Illustration of a boy]
11 to 12 years old
The best age for HPV vaccination of girls and boys is between 11 and 12, but it can be given starting at age 9 and through age 26.
The body develops better protection against HPV when the vaccine is given at this age. This may result in longer-lasting immunity.
If a person older than 26 has not been vaccinated and is at risk of a new HPV infection, they may be able to get the vaccine. The HPV vaccine is approved through age 45. Talk with your doctor.
The HPV vaccine
It is important to protect your child from the disease early.
The HPV vaccine can…
Only prevent infections, not treat them [stop sign icon]
Reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers by up to 99 percent fully protected with all recommended doses [medicine icon]
Prevent your child from spreading HPV to future sexual partners [male and female figures with an arrow between them]
The HPV vaccine is safe and effective
Clinical trials and ongoing research have shown the HPV vaccine’s protection remains strong for at least 10 years. There is no evidence to suggest this level of protection changes over time.
The most common side effect of the HPV vaccine is soreness and redness where the shot is given. There have been no reports of severe side effects or bad reactions to the vaccine.
You are the key to HPV cancer prevention.
Get your child vaccinated between 11 and 12 years old to protect them and their future partners from HPV infection.
[ACOG logo]
This product is supported by an independent educational grant from Merck, Inc. ACOG does not allow companies to influence its programs, publications, or advocacy positions.
PFSI021: This information is designed as an educational aid to patients and sets forth current information and opinions related to women’s health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care, nor does it comprise all proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for a treating clinician’s independent professional judgment. For ACOG’s complete disclaimer, visit www.acog.org/WomensHealth-Disclaimer.
Copyright August 2020 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, posted on the internet, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.