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How Can the HPV Vaccine Protect My Kids?

March 04, 2025

group of diverse tweens

What if there were a vaccine that could help protect your child from multiple cancers later in life? There is: the HPV vaccine, known as Gardasil 9. This vaccine is used widely and is considered safe and effective. However, social media posts and other sources have spread misinformation about the vaccine in recent years, and fewer parents are choosing it for their children.

We understand that safety is a top priority for parents. A 2018 study by Johns Hopkins University highlighted that many parents have questions about the HPV vaccine's safety. It's also common to feel unsure about the link between HPV and cancer, especially when thinking about your tween and/or teen. That's why we're here to provide clear, reliable information so you can make an informed decision with confidence.

What is HPV and Why is it a Concern for Teens?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that nearly everyone who's not vaccinated will get at some point in their life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV infects about 13 million people, including teenagers, every year and can cause cancers later in life. The most common way to get HPV is through sexual contact: anal, oral, or vaginal sex.

If your children are young, it’s probably hard to imagine them being sexually active, much less getting HPV. But the fact is that when they are older, even one sexual partner can expose them to HPV.

Can HPV Lead to Cancers Later in Life?

Most people who get HPV don’t develop long-term problems because their immune system fights off the virus naturally within one to two years.

However, infections may last longer and can cause HPV-related cancers of the:

  • Cervix, vagina, and vulva in women
  • Penis in men
  • Anus in both men and women
  • Back of the throat (oropharyngeal cancer) in both men and women

In the U.S., HPV causes about:

  • 36,000 cancer cases in men and women annually
  • 90 percent of all cervical cancers
  • 60 to 70 percent of oropharyngeal cancers

How Does the HPV Vaccine (Gardasil 9) Protect Teens?

We understand that as a parent, you want to make the best decisions for your child's health. It's natural to have questions and concerns about vaccines, especially when it comes to HPV.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first HPV vaccine, Gardasil, in 2006, and an updated version, Gardasil 9, in 2014. The vaccine helps protect people ages 9 to 45 against the following diseases caused by nine types of HPV: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females; anal cancer; certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers; and genital warts in both males and females.

The CDC recommends two doses of HPV vaccine at ages 11–12 years, however, the HPV vaccination can be started at age 9.

Is the HPV Vaccine Safe?

You may have come across information online that raises concerns about the HPV vaccine. It's important to rely on credible sources like the CDC and your child's pediatrician for accurate information.

Clinical studies and almost 20 years of HPV vaccine use indicate that the vaccine:

  • Cannot cause HPV or any other disease.
  • Offers long-lasting protection (no booster shots are necessary).

Some HPV vaccine critics say it can cause infertility. However, scientific evidence does not support this claim.

Most children who get the vaccine experience minor, if any, side effects, including:

  • Fainting
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Nausea and dizziness
  • Pain, swelling and bruising at the injection site

By getting your child vaccinated against HPV, you're giving them the best chance to live a healthy life, free from the risks of HPV-related cancers.

Can the Vaccine Help Older People Who Are Already Infected?

The HPV vaccine is most effective in younger people who don’t have HPV. But people up to age 45 can get the vaccine. For these individuals, the vaccine can:

  • Protect against HPV strains that they haven’t been exposed to yet
  • Give the immune system an HPV infection-fighting boost
  • Help prevent abnormal cells from coming back after HPV-related treatment

Talk to your doctor if you are considering the vaccine for yourself or another family member between ages 27 and 45.

Still Have Questions? Talk to Your Child’s Pediatrician

Talk to you child’s pediatrician if you have more questions about HPV or the HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9); they're an excellent source of the latest information and research.