There are 2 cancer-preventing vaccines that are currently approved:
Human Papillomavirus vaccine
Hepatitis B vaccine
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine greatly reduces the risk of several types of cancer including cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulval cancer.
The HPV virus is so common that nearly all sexually active people will be exposed to it at some point in life.
Getting the HPV vaccine routinely at age 11-12 years is recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to prevent HPV infection and the above mentioned cancers later in life when most people become sexually active.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends routine HPV vaccination between ages 9 and 12 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting HPV vaccination between 9 and 12 years.
In 2006, the FDA approved Gardasil; a four-strain HPV vaccine for females aged 9-26 years. In August 2009, vaccination was recommended for both males and females. By 2011, the vaccine had been approved in 120 countries. In 2014, the FDA approved a nine-strain version; Gardasil 9, to protect against infection with the strains covered by the first generation of Gardasil; 6, 11, 16, 18 and five other HPV strains; 31, 33, 45, 52, 58.
In 2018, the FDA approved the use of Gardasil 9 in persons 27-45 years.
The HPV vaccine is safe and effective. Early vaccination is an investment now for a future benefit that is great and important.
Charlene Blache, MD, FAAP
Senior Pediatrician
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