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Get your HPV vaccine today

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 9 through 26 should receive an HPV vaccine series if they have not yet been fully vaccinated. Age and state restrictions apply.

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Important information about HPV vaccines

 

According to the CDC, the number of reported HPV infections and cervical precancers — that is, the abnormal cells on the cervix that can lead to cancer — have dropped since 2006, when HPV vaccines were first used in the United States.

 

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What you should know about HPV

HPV is a common sexually transmitted disease

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, and about 85% of the population will be affected by an HPV infection at some point in their lifetime. While there are various types of HPV, certain types can cause health problems such as genital warts and cancers.

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A vaccine can help prevent serious disease

The vaccine can help protect against certain cancers and other diseases that are caused by HPV. About 31,500 people are affected yearly by a cancer caused by HPV. Also, HPV can spread even when there are no signs or symptoms.

 

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CDC recommendations

Unvaccinated preteens, teens and young adults 9 through 26 years of age should consider getting vaccinated. 

Unvaccinated adults ages 27 through 45 years seeking protection should consult with their health care provider about whether a vaccine is right for them.

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Ready to get vaccinated?

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Get vaccinated at CVS Pharmacy®

 

Vaccinations at CVS Pharmacy are available at more than 9,000 locations and administered by a certified immunizer.

 

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Get vaccinated at MinuteClinic®

 

MinuteClinic provides vaccinations at more than 1,100 locations and can accept younger patients at least 18 months of age.

 

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The vaccines you need, all in one place™

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We offer 15+ vaccines, including:

  • Shingles
  • Pneumonia (pneumoccocal)
  • Hepatitis B
  • HPV
  • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)

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HPV FAQ

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a common virus* that can cause cancers later in life. Most sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives. 

The good news is, yes, vaccination can help prevent certain types of HPV.* The CDC recommends two doses of HPV vaccine at ages 11–12 years, though you can start as early as age 9.

The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine* for adolescents between ages 11-12 years (although patients can start as early as age 9), as well as teens and adults through age 26 years if they have not been fully vaccinated already. 

HPV vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. Some adults ages 27 through 45 years who were not already vaccinated might choose to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their healthcare provider about their risk for new HPV infections and possible benefits of vaccination. HPV vaccination of adults provides less benefit, because more people in this age range were exposed to HPV already.

Discover information about vaccination contradictions and precautions 

HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact* with someone who has the virus, even when they have no signs or symptoms. It's most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex — but it can also spread through close skin-to-skin touching during sex and oral sex. If you are sexually active, you can get HPV even if you have had sex with only one person. 

HPV infections can cause certain cancers in both men and women.* The list of possible cancers includes cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal and oropharyngeal (cancer of the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils). Some HPV types can cause warts, while others can cause cancers. 

It can take years, sometimes decades, for some types of HPV to cause cancer after infection occurs, and there is no way to know who will develop cancer or other health problems from HPV. People who have weakened immune systems — including those with HIV — may be more likely to develop health problems from HPV.

Like any medicine, vaccines may cause side effects. The most common side effects from the HPV vaccine* are mild and get better within a day or two. They include redness and/or swelling where the shot was given, fever, dizziness or fainting (fainting after any vaccine is more common among adolescents than others), nausea, headaches or feeling tired.