The HPV Vaccine is Safe, Effective, and Provides Long-Lasting Protection
Prevention is key when battling HPV cancers. When thinking about getting the vaccine for your child, know that doctors agree that HPV vaccination provides safe, effective, and long-lasting protection against HPV cancers.
SAFE: HPV vaccine safety studies continue to show that HPV vaccination is safe.
More than 270 million doses have been distributed worldwide, with more than 120 million doses in the U.S. alone since 20065 . The safety profile for the HPV vaccine is well established. CDC, FDA, and international organizations continue to monitor and evaluate the safety of HPV vaccines, along with all vaccines. The data from HPV vaccine safety studies show that it is safe.
HPV vaccine is safe and effective at preventing HPV-related infections and cancers. 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. People may also experience pain, redness, or swelling in the arm where the shot was given, fever, headache or feeling tired, nausea or muscle or joint pain. People with severe allergic reactions to vaccines or are pregnant, should consult their health care provider.
EFFECTIVE: HPV vaccination can help prevent 6 types of cancer. These cancers include throat, cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, and penile cancer.
Studies continue to prove that HPV vaccination is effective, decreasing the number of infections, HPV pre-cancers, and cancers in young people since it was introduced. In fact, research has shown the vaccine provides close to 100% protection against infections and precancers caused by the types of HPV in the vaccine.
- Reviewed by
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
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