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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

Routine Vaccination

HPV vaccine is routinely recommended for girls aged 11-12 years. Doctors may give it to girls as young as 9 years. It is important for girls to get HPV vaccine before their first sexual contact because they have not yet been exposed to HPV. The vaccine can prevent 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts caused by the 4 types of HPV in the vaccine. If a girl or woman is already infected with a type of HPV, the vaccine will not prevent disease from that type.

Catch-up vaccination

The vaccine is also recommended for girls and women aged 13-26 years who did not receive it when they were younger.

HPV vaccine is given as a 3-dose series:

• 1st dose: Now.
• 2nd dose: 2 months after 1st dose.
• 3rd dose: 6 months after 1st dose.

Additional booster doses are not recommended. HPV vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Washington State is currently supplying:

• HPV vaccine from Merck Vaccine Division, brand name, Gardasil. The vaccine has normal availability.

Guidelines for the Use of State Supplied Vaccines (PDF 117kb) (04/04/08)
Vaccine Management - Recommendation for Storage and Handling of Vaccines

Vaccine Information Statements:

• HPV

Fact Sheet:

• HPV Vaccine Fact Sheet (PDF 38kb)

Related Information:

• CDC Questions and Answers Concerning the Safety and Efficacy of Gardasil? 6-07 (PDF 21kb)
• Immunization Program Update: Implementation of HPV, Rotavirus, and second dose Varicella 4-07 (PDF 57kb)
• Medicaid Providers Letter 9-06 (PDF 100kb)

External Resources:

• National Immunization Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Locate my local health department

 

Last Update: 06/24/2008 02:52 PM