Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Most cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection in adults worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 80 percent of American women will contract at least one strain of HPV by age 50.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved both bivalent and quadrivalent HPV vaccines that can help prevent cervical cancer in women who are vaccinated before they are exposed to the virus. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommend HPV vaccination for girls ages 11 or 12, though they also may be given to females as young as 9 or as old as 26.

The HPV vaccine is administered intramuscularly in three 0.5-ml doses based on the following schedule:

• First dose: Administered at elected date.
• Second dose: Given 1 to 2 months (but no less than four weeks) after the first dose.
• Third dose: Given six months (but no less than 24 weeks) after the first dose, and no less than 12 weeks after the second dose.

If the vaccine schedule is interrupted, the series does not need to be restarted, regardless of the length of time between doses. Whenever possible, the same vaccine product should be used for all doses in the series.

Target population: Recommended for females ages 11 or 12, but can be given to those as young as 9.

Catch-up vaccination: Recommended for females ages 13 to 26.