Q: I am 43 years old. Is it too late for me to get the HPV vaccine?
A: No, it’s not too late. Adults can get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, too. Talk to your clinician to discuss whether getting the vaccine is right for you.
TL;DR: Originally, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was approved for girls and young women aged 9-26. As research has continued, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has extended approval for people ages 9-45, all sexes and genders, to receive the vaccine, with ages 11-26 being an automatic recommendation and people older than 26 having individualized conversations with their clinician.
HPV is a virus that can cause cancers of the:
✔️Cervix, vagina, and vulva
✔️Penis
✔️Anus
✔️Back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (oropharynx)
The vaccine to protect against HPV was initially recommended for children ages 11-12. Because HPV is a virus that is sexually transmitted, scientists and clinicians initially recommended that children get the vaccine before becoming sexually active. Because HPV is responsible for many preventable cancers, in June 2019, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) expanded its recommendations, stating that adults up to 45 may benefit from the vaccine depending on their circumstances. They recommend that people interested in the HPV vaccine talk to their healthcare team.
This update came after the FDA expanded the approved age range in October 2018 based on data from research conducted between 2006 and 2018. The FDA looked at 16 studies and considered the benefits versus the harms of adults up to 45 years old receiving the vaccine. They found that the benefits– reduction of possible HPV infections – were more significant than the risks of getting vaccinated.
To learn more:
CDC – ACIP assesses the quality of HPV vaccine research [archived link]
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – Clinicians explain why adults may benefit [archived link]
CDC – Why immunize against HPV [archived link]
Stay safe. Stay well.
Those Nerdy Girls&+
This post was updated by Those Nerdy Girls from the original written on December 1, 2022.
