HPV Vaccine Guidelines for Primary Prevention

Introduction to HPV Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends primary prevention through HPV vaccination, which prevents HPV infection before exposure occurs, as stated by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) 1, 2
Primary prevention means preventing disease before it occurs by blocking the initial infection, as defined by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 1, 2

The HPV vaccine prevents infection with cancer-causing HPV types 16 and 18, which cause approximately 66% of cervical cancers, according to the CDC and the National Cancer Institute 5, 6
The vaccine provides full protection against vaccine-type HPV infections when given before potential exposure to HPV through sexual contact, as recommended by the ACIP and the AAP 1, 2

The ACIP recommends routine HPV vaccination starting at age 11-12 years, with catch-up vaccination for all persons through age 26 years who are not adequately vaccinated, as stated by the CDC and the AAP 5, 6
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the AAP recommend vaccination for individuals aged 9-26 years, with routine catch-up vaccination for anyone not previously vaccinated 5, 6
The vaccine series consists of 2 doses (if started before age 15) or 3 doses (if started at age 15 or older), as recommended by the CDC and the AAP 1, 2

The American Cancer Society and the CDC recommend that screening practices should not change based on vaccination status; vaccinated individuals still need age-appropriate Pap smears 3, 4
No pre-vaccination testing is needed—neither Pap testing nor HPV DNA/antibody testing is required before vaccination, as stated by the ACIP and the AAP 1, 7

Vaccination should be given regardless of history of abnormal Pap tests, HPV infection, or genital warts, as recommended by the CDC and the AAP 5, 6
The vaccine does not treat existing HPV infections but protects against other vaccine-type HPV strains not yet acquired, as stated by the ACIP and the AAP 1, 7
Even if the patient has been sexually active, vaccination provides protection against HPV types they have not yet encountered, as recommended by the CDC and the AAP 1, 2