Who Should Get the HPV Vaccine?
Both boys and girls should get the vaccine starting at age 9. Getting the vaccine early offers the most effective protection against HPV and can help prevent certain cancers. Talk to your child’s primary care provider (PCP) about the HPV vaccine.
The vaccine can be given to people up to age 26. If you are between 26 and 45, talk with your healthcare provider to see if the vaccine is right for you. If you already have HPV, the vaccine can still protect against other strains of HPV.
Depending upon your age, the vaccine is given in either two or three doses.
Vaccines protect children before they are exposed to a disease. That is why we recommend giving the vaccine between ages 9-13. Also starting early requires only two doses (120 days apart) versus later when three doses may be needed.