HPV Vaccination Is Cancer Prevention In Texas.
HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is a common virus that can cause 6 types of cancer in men and women. While there is no treatment for HPV, there is a vaccine that can prevent it.
HPV vaccination is for all children and works best when given between ages 9 and 12. Children and young adults age 13 through 26 who have not been vaccinated, or who haven’t gotten all their doses, should get the vaccine as soon as possible.
HPV vaccination is cancer prevention. The vaccine is safe, effective, and long lasting.
What you need to know
Where to get the HPV vaccine & how to pay for it
Parents can ask for the HPV vaccine at their child’s next doctor’s appointment or call 2-1-1 Texas to find a health care provider. Insurance plans will probably cover the HPV vaccine cost if it is given according to national guidelines but check with your insurance plan to be sure.
The HPV vaccine is available to all uninsured or underinsured boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 18 through the Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) program.
This program covers vaccine costs for children and teens who don’t have insurance. The TVFC program provides free vaccines to children and teens younger than 19 years of age, who are either Medicaid-eligible, American Indian or Alaska Native, or uninsured.
Talk to your child's doctor
Call your child’s doctor to schedule an appointment or request the HPV vaccine at your child’s well visit.
Getting vaccinated against HPV now is the best way to prevent HPV cancers later in life. Now is the time to catch up on missed vaccinations.
Texas’ vaccination rate is surprisingly low.
Texas has 2.2 million adolescents between 10-14 years old who need protection from HPV cancers.
In 2022, only 58.5% of Texas 13-17 year-olds were up to date with the HPV vaccination; ranking Texas 40th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia for HPV vaccination rates. However, we know Texas teens are getting vaccinated to protect against other diseases. More than 85% of Texas 13-17 year-olds received Tdap and meningococcal vaccines. This is a huge, missed opportunity to protect thousands of adolescents from future cancers.
HPV vaccination rates for Texan boys are almost 10% lower than girls, leaving them vulnerable to head and neck cancers, and penile and anal cancers. The most commonly diagnosed HPV attributable cancer is oropharyngeal (mouth and throat) cancers. In fact, more men are diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer every year than women diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Help make sure that Texan children are protected with HPV vaccination today to prevent HPV cancers in the future.
Source: HPV Landscape Dashboard - ACS HPV Vaccination Project | Tableau Public
HPV & Me
Watch stories of how HPV cancers have impacted people’s lives.
Tamika Felder was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 25. Now, as a cancer survivor, she shares her story to help educate others.
With heavy radiation and chemotherapy, and a supportive family and doctor, Scott Vetter shares his journey on becoming HPV cancer-free of head and neck cancer.
Diagnosed at 31 years old, Christine Baze recalls her story in becoming a cervical cancer survivor.
