Today, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, along with 62 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Centers with leading national organizations and the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, have endorsed a joint statement urging the nation’s health care systems, physicians and other health care providers and professionals, parents, and caregivers, and the public to promote and choose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for cancer prevention. HPV vaccination is safe and works to prevent six types of cancer (oropharyngeal, cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, and penile). Recently released National Immunization Survey (NIS)-Teen data show no gains in HPV vaccination over the last few years, indicating urgent action to ensure children today are protected against HPV-related cancers they may develop in adulthood.
HPV vaccination is cancer prevention, with 90% of HPV-related cancers preventable through on-time HPV vaccination by the 13th birthday. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends routine HPV vaccination for females since 2006 and for males since 2011. Current HPV vaccination guidelines are for routine vaccination at ages 9 to 12. Catch-up HPV vaccination is recommended through age 26. Adults aged 27 through 45 should talk with their health care providers about HPV vaccination because some people who have not been vaccinated might benefit. The HPV vaccine series consists of two doses for children who get the first dose at ages 9–14, three for immunocompromised people, and three for those who start the series at age 15 or older.
According to the most recent NIS-Teen data, only 66% of boys and girls ages 13-17 completed the HPV vaccination series in 2024 in Michigan. Nationally, HPV vaccination coverage has stagnated for the last three years and falls short of the Healthy People 2030 goal of 80% of children aged 13-15 who are vaccinated.
HPV is common. Nearly 80 million Americans – 1 out of every 4 people – are infected with HPV, a virus that causes six types of cancers. Of those millions, more than 40,000 will be diagnosed with HPV-related cancers this year, and hundreds of thousands more with pre-cancers caused by HPV. Despite those staggering figures and the availability of a vaccine to prevent HPV infections, HPV vaccination coverage remains significantly lower than other recommended vaccines for this same age group in the U.S. It is not yet known in whom HPV infection will lead to cancer, but HPV vaccination is known to protect those who are vaccinated.
The HPV vaccine is safe. Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. Many people who get the HPV vaccine have no side effects at all. The most common side effects are usually mild, like a sore arm from the shot. Findings from many vaccine safety monitoring systems and more than 160 studies show HPV vaccines have a favorable safety profile. Currently available scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the safety of the HPV vaccine.
HPV vaccination is effective at preventing HPV-related infections and cancers. In the U.S., where HPV vaccination coverage remains suboptimal, gains have been observed, but the full population benefit is not yet realized. From 2008 to 2022, cervical pre-cancer incidence decreased 79%, and higher-grade pre-cancer incidence decreased 80% among women aged 20–24 who were screened for cervical cancer, the age group most likely to have been vaccinated, according to a recent article in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
To ensure protection against HPV-related cancers and move closer to the elimination of HPV cancers, starting with cervical cancer as a public health concern in the U.S., urgent action is needed to prevent HPV-related cancers. HPV vaccination is the best tool in the toolbox to prevent HPV-related cancers.
The call to action comes during the back-to-school period, a time during which most children aged 9- 12 years old are vaccinated against HPV, and also during Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, which is a time to raise awareness about gynecologic cancers such as cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers caused by HPV. The organizations collectively urge the following actions:
- Health care systems’ staff and providers should immediately identify and contact parents and caregivers of age-eligible children who are due for HPV vaccination and encourage them to complete vaccinations.
- Parents and caregivers should vaccinate their age-eligible children as soon as possible. A list of recommended vaccines is available on the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) websites.
- Talk with family members and friends about HPV vaccination. Share the facts about HPV vaccination as cancer prevention.
- Learn more about HPV vaccination from karmanos.org, the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable.
Sixty-two NCI-designated cancer Centers, leading national organizations, and the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center endorse this statement and share the goal of sending a powerful message about the importance of HPV vaccination for the prevention of HPV-related cancers. HPV vaccination is safe, effective, and provides long-lasting protection against HPV-related cancers and other conditions associated with HPV.
Click here to view the list of NCI-Designated Cancer Centers endorsing this statement.