Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

The most common sexually transmitted infection. Certain strains cause nearly all cervical cancers and many other cancers. Vaccines can prevent most cancer-causing infections.

Disease Burden and Cancer Link

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Nearly all sexually active people get HPV at some point in their lives, but most infections clear on their own. When infections persist, they can cause cancers (CDC, 2024).

HPV causes approximately 36,000 cancers in the U.S. each year, including:

  • Cervical cancer (nearly 100% caused by HPV)
  • Vaginal and vulvar cancers (65-70% caused by HPV)
  • Penile cancers (35-40% caused by HPV)
  • Anal cancers (90% caused by HPV)
  • Oropharyngeal cancers (70% caused by HPV)

HPV Vaccines

Gardasil 9 (9-valent)

Protects against 9 HPV types (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58). Covers cancers and genital warts. Current U.S. recommendation.

Cervarix (2-valent)

Protects against HPV types 16 and 18 (cancer-causing). No longer available in U.S. market.

CDC Recommendations

  • • Routine vaccination at age 11-12 (can start at 9)
  • • Catch-up through age 26
  • • Shared decision-making for adults 27-45
  • • 2-dose schedule if started before age 15, 3-dose if after
  • • Efficacy: Nearly 100% against targeted types

Sources

Related Pages

Vaccine Catalog All Diseases