Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

You can protect your child from human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that affects 85% of Americans at some point in their lives. While HPV is not cancer, it can develop into cancer when unvaccinated. It is estimated to cause over 30,000 yearly cancer diagnosis in men and women across the United States.

An HPV vaccination can prevent most HPV related cervical cancers, throat or tonsil cancers or vaginal, anal or penile cancers from ever developing. You can protect your kids from this cancer-causing virus.

The HPV vaccine has been monitored for over 15 years and has been proven safe and effective. Getting both HPV shots by age 10 can protect and save lives. Immunize South Dakota encourages you to remember “2 by 10”.

Vaccine Recommendations for Children Have Changed

HPV vaccine recommendations for children have changed. When you make sure your child receives both HPV vaccines by age 10, you give them their best shot at a full and healthy life. Today, you can begin vaccinating your child for HPV as early as age 9.

Why age 9? Because early protection against HPV is your most effective protection. Vaccination at an earlier age protects your child long before they ever have contact with the virus.

The previous recommendations for HPV vaccinations for children were around ages 11 or 12 years old. This has caused some confusion, so be sure to talk to your doctor or nurse about scheduling them as soon as possible – and any other health risk factors that may affect when and how many doses are administered. When you know the facts, you know your best options.

HPV Vaccinations Can Help Protect Against These Cancers

For both men and women, an HPV vaccine is very effective at protecting against genital warts and cancers of the:

Cervix, vagina and vulva in women
Penis in men
Anus in both men and women
Back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx), in both men and women