provider image
Welcome! You’re in GoodRx Provider Mode. Now, you’ll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare providers.

The HPV Vaccine: Side Effects, Benefits, Age, and More

Megan N. Freeland, PharmD, RPh
Updated on July 6, 2021

Key takeaways:

  • As with any vaccine, HPV vaccination has some side effects. This includes pain where the shot was given, fever, and headache.

  • Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines say that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective. The shot helps protect people (depending on their age and condition) from various HPV-related diseases.

  • While the HPV vaccine can be expensive if you’re paying out of pocket, most insurance plans cover the cost of the vaccine.

Close-up of a bandaid being applied after a vaccine.
VioletaStoimenova/E+ via Getty Images

There has been so much controversy around the HPV vaccine, but what’s the final word? Is it safe for all genders? What about children and adults?

In 2018, the FDA approved expanded use of the HPV vaccine to cover adults up to 45 years of age, besides children and adolescents. While there has been an ongoing debate about the HPV vaccine and the potential side effects it can cause, the CDC’s revised guidelines recommend that all individuals through the age of 26 receive the vaccine. The adjusted guidelines also clarify dosage for adults and people with lower immunity. 

This post will help explain what HPV is, what the HPV vaccine is, and what the pros and cons are of the vaccine. This way, you can decide how to best protect your family from the diseases HPV can cause.

What is HPV?

HPV, short for human papillomavirus, isn’t just one virus. It’s a collection of over 200 related viruses known as HPV types. Even though many of these HPV types go away on their own, some cause genital warts and others can cause cancers in both males and females. Some examples of cancers that HPV can cause include:

  • Mouth

  • Throat

  • Anal

  • Rectal

  • Penile

  • Cervical 

  • Vaginal 

HPV is common and widespread — about one in four people in the US have HPV. In fact, the CDC estimates that almost every sexually active person will be infected with HPV at some point if they don’t get the HPV vaccine! The reason being is HPV passes easily through direct sexual contact; that includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

What is the HPV vaccine and what is the controversy around it?

The HPV vaccine is an injection that helps protect people against HPV and the diseases it can cause, including genital warts and certain types of cancer. Three vaccines were developed to prevent HPV infection: Gardasil, Gardasil 9, and Cervarix. Currently, Gardasil 9 is the only HPV vaccine that is used in the United States. The vaccine is given to individuals in two or three doses over the course of 6 to 12 months.

According to the American Cancer Society, 120 million HPV vaccine doses have been given in the U.S. since 2006. But when the vaccine was first rolled out, a number of factors made people hesitant to get themselves or their children vaccinated, including: 

  • Potential vaccine side effects

  • Vaccine cost

  • Concerns about the vaccine’s effect on sexual activity among children

  • Lack of public awareness around HPV and vaccine importance

Today, scientists have more than 12 years of long-term safety data for the current HPV vaccine. Making sure Gardasil 9 stays safe is an ongoing process.

Promotion disclosure
Save on medications with GoodRx

Pros and cons of the HPV vaccine

With that said, there are always going to be benefits and risks to taking any vaccine. Whether you’re considering the HPV vaccine for yourself or your child, we’ve broken down the pros and cons of the shot below to help you with your decision!

Benefits of the HPV vaccine

Research has consistently found the HPV vaccine to be very effective in preventing various infections and diseases. Some of the pros of taking the HPV vaccine are as follows:

  • Gardasil 9 is one of the most effective vaccines there is. It provides almost 100% protection against nine HPV types (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58), including the cancers they can cause.

  • Since 2006, when the first HPV vaccine was approved, the prevalence of HPV infections among teen girls in the U.S. has gone down by 86%. These HPV infections cause the most HPV-related cancers and genital warts.

  • The HPV vaccine also protects males from HPV-related mouth, throat, anal, rectal, and penile cancers.

  • The HPV vaccine can offer protection against HPV-related diseases for people who have lower immunity due to certain conditions like HIV infection.

What risks come with taking the HPV vaccine?

As with most vaccines, you may experience some side effects after getting the shot. In the case of Gardasil 9, the most common side effects are mild and include:

  • Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot is given

  • Fever

  • Headache

  • Fatigue

  • Nausea

  • Muscle pain

  • Joint pain

If you’re worried that the HPV vaccine could cause HPV, don’t. Gardasil 9 doesn’t actually contain the HPV virus. It only contains one small substance from it to help your immune system build antibodies against the virus.

Similarly, there’s no evidence that getting the HPV vaccine negatively affects a person’s fertility in the future. It’s quite the opposite — the HPV vaccine protects against potential fertility-related complications that certain cancers could cause.

As you evaluate pros and cons of the HPV vaccine, here are some important factors that may impact your decision to become vaccinated:

  • If you are slightly sick (for example, minor diarrhea or a mild cold), it’s OK to get the vaccination. But if your sickness is more moderate or severe, you should wait until you’re feeling better to get the dose. That way, your immune system will be strong enough to respond to the vaccine.

  • No one with a severe allergy to yeast should get Gardasil 9. Also, pregnant women should wait until they’re not pregnant anymore to get vaccinated.

  • Anyone up to age 26 with lower immunity as a result of a condition (like HIV infection) is also encouraged to receive the HPV vaccine. If you’re between 27 and 45 years of age, you can decide with your provider if the HPV vaccine is right for you.

At what age should kids get the HPV vaccine?

Healthcare professionals recommend that all children, regardless of gender, get their first dose of the HPV vaccine at 11 or 12 years old. However, a child can get the vaccine as early as age 9. 

But does my child really need the HPV vaccine?

Getting the HPV vaccine doesn’t mean your child is sexually active or will be soon. Healthcare professionals recommend HPV vaccination, so your child can be fully protected before possible exposure to HPV.

No matter when your child becomes sexually active (even if it’s not until adulthood) there’s a high chance they’ll come into contact with HPV at some point. While in most cases, your immune system will try to clear HPV infections on its own, it may not always be able to do so — especially if you have a high-risk HPV type. And even if a person has already been exposed to HPV, the vaccine provides protection from other types of HPV that they may not have been exposed to.

Making sure your child gets vaccinated against HPV is a way to protect their future health.

Can the HPV vaccine be given to adults?

If you are over 12 years old but haven’t yet received the HPV vaccine, the CDC still recommends everyone through the age of 26 to get it. We now have evidence that older adults are at risk for HPV infections too and are not protected. And there have been calls to raise vaccination rates amongst men since just like women, men are susceptible to HPV-related cancers. In fact, cancers of a part of the throat that are caused by HPV (known as oropharyngeal cancers) are on the rise in men.

In 2018, the FDA approved a request by the manufacturer of Gardasil 9 to extend the age limit of the vaccine to cover some adults ages 27 to 45. Adults who fall into this age range can discuss with their healthcare provider whether receiving the HPV vaccine is in their best interest. Since the vaccine can be expensive, you’ll want to see if it’ll be covered under your insurance plan.  

What is the required number of doses of the HPV vaccine?

Current HPV vaccine guidelines indicate that dosage is the same across all genders and includes either two or three doses. The exact number of doses depends on people’s age during the time of their first dose or health condition:

  • For children 9 to 14 years old, two doses are recommended, given 6 to 12 months apart. After that, no more doses are required. 

  • Individuals who get their first dose between ages 15 and 26 should receive a total of three doses. Specifically, the second dose should be taken 1 to 2 months after the initial dose, and the third dose should be taken 6 months after the initial dose. 

  • Adults 27 to 45 years old who choose to receive the HPV vaccine (after discussing with their healthcare provider) may be advised to receive three doses following the above intervals. This also includes adults who are immunocompromised.

  • People ages 9 through 26 who are living with a condition like HIV, which lowers their immunity, should receive three doses following the above interval.

Once you’ve received your HPV vaccine doses at the recommended intervals for your age or condition, you don’t need to get any more! Similarly, if your vaccination schedule is interrupted for any reason, the series doesn’t need to be restarted. 

Do the benefits of the HPV vaccine outweigh the risks?

With mostly mild side effects, the Gardasil 9 vaccine can prevent over 90% of HPV-related cancers from ever occurring. Again, deciding whether to vaccinate yourself or your child is a personal decision. After weighing the benefits against the potential risks, choosing the HPV vaccine is the right decision for most people.

How much does the HPV vaccine cost?

Gardasil 9 can be expensive if you pay out of pocket, but here’s some good news: Most insurance plans cover the HPV vaccine. And if you’re in need of any financial assistance, GoodRx has you covered.

Also, children 18 years old or younger can get free vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program if they fall into at least one of these categories:

  • Uninsured or underinsured

  • Medicaid-eligible

  • American Indian/Alaskan Native

The bottom line

In spite of long-standing concerns around the HPV vaccine, over 12 years of research has found the vaccine to be safe and effective in protecting all genders from various cancers and genital warts. Current CDC guidelines encourage all individuals through age 26 and those with lower immunity to receive the HPV vaccine. Adults between 27 and 45 years of age should work with a healthcare professional to determine whether taking the HPV vaccine is the right choice for them.

References

American Cancer Society. (2020). HPV vaccine facts.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Progress toward implementation of human papillomavirus vaccination — the Americas, 2006-2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

View All References (15)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Vaccines for Children Program (VFC): Detailed questions & answers.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). HPV and cancer.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). HPV vaccination recommendations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Human papillomavirus (HPV).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Schedule changes & guidance.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Vaccine schedule and dosing.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). When should my child get the HPV vaccine?.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Adult immunization schedule.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). HPV fact sheet.

Garland, S. M., et al. (2017). HPV vaccination of immunocompromised hosts. Papillomavirus Research.

Holman, D. M., et al. (2014). Barriers to human papillomavirus vaccination among US adolescents. Journal of the American Medical Association – Pediatrics.

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (2022). Gardasil, 9 [package insert].

National Cancer Institute. (2021). Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.

National Cancer Institute. (2021). HPV and cancer.

U. S. Food & Drug Administration. (2018). FDA approves expanded use of Gardasil 9 to include individuals 27 through 45 years old.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

Was this page helpful?

Get the facts on Human Papillomavirus.

Sign up for our newsletter to get expert tips on condition management and prescription savings.

By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.