What is the latest you would delay HPV ?
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Anonymous
| My teen is up-to-date on everything except HPV. We held off because she is having some autoimmune health issues. What is the latest age you would feel comfortable giving it to your child? I know the later we wait, the more shots she may have to get to be fully protected, but she is willing to do that because her immune system is compromised right now. |
Anonymous
| What does her doctor say? Why not go with their advice instead of random strangers in the internet? |
Anonymous
|
We delayed inadvertently because there were some ongoing family issues that were sucking up all our attention.
They are 15 and must now take 3 shots instead of 2. It's fine. They don't love it but it's fine. Now the exception to that would be if you think your child is sexually active, in which case sooner is better. |
Anonymous
| Yes, I’d ask the doctor treating her autoimmune issues. The only significant drawback to delaying the HPV vaccination series is that you run the risk of engaging in sexual activity before you have the full protection of the vaccine. I think there were some reports that if you complete the series at a young enough age that you only need two shots instead of 3, the vaccine may offer slightly more protection, but it’s still very effective for people who need 3 shots, as long as they haven’t already been exposed to HPV. |
Anonymous
| Maybe to provide peace of mind but I started end of college with the 3-shot series after I was sexually active and have fortunately been free of all the bad variants the shot protects you against the last 15 years. For my own children I’d likely feel comfortable waiting up until 16 especially for health related concerns. |
Anonymous
We have no idea about the particular risk/benefit ratio in your daughter’s case. |
Anonymous
| She can get it up to age 40. The sooner the better; ideally before she is sexually active. Check with her doctor, but even people that are immune compromised can and should receive vaccinations. It is very rare for it to be contraindicated |
Anonymous
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Last month, the National Cancer Insitute confirmed through their own study that 1 shot is as effective as 2. This was following up on a 2022 study out of Kenya that also showed 1 was sufficient. The WHO recommends one shot.
If I had a daughter with autoimmune issues, I'd err on the side of one shot rather than two or three. |
Anonymous
DP. I didn’t see this news and it’s good to hear. My DS didn’t get the first shot until 13. He’ll still get the second shot but it’s good to know that one might do the trick. |
Anonymous
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This is from the Cleveland clinic website—
From age 9 to 15: You’ll need two shots to be fully protected. You should get the second shot six to 12 months after getting the first shot. At this age, your immune system is especially strong. Vaccination at a young age provides the strongest immune response and the best protection against HPV infection. Ages 15 and up: You’ll need three shots to be fully protected. You should get the second shot one to two months after your first shot. You should get the third shot six months after your first shot. People of any age with a condition that causes them to have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised) should follow the HPV vaccine schedule that requires three shots, not two. |
Anonymous
Oh interesting! See, this is why I come to DCUM. I feel that a lot of doctors are not up-to-date on these things. I will bring this up to my daughter‘s doctor. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE INFORMATION. -OP |
Anonymous
Insurance will typically only cover the cost of the vaccine through age 45, but you can get it even after that if you pay out of pocket. Getting the shot well into adulthood is not generally encouraged for two reasons. First, most people have already been exposed to HPV by the time they’re middle aged and the vaccine doesn’t reduce the cancer risks of prior exposure. Second, there has been an ongoing worldwide shortage of HPV vaccines, so they’re prioritized for young people who haven’t been exposed to HPV yet and therefore can get the full benefit of the vaccine. |
Anonymous
I wouldn't trust a statement with no references on DCUM without further research; sometimes it's correct, often it's not. In this case, the above does seem to be generally accurate: https://www.statnews.com/2025/04/28/hpv-vaccine-single-dose-prevents-infection-just-as-well-as-two-doses-hci-clinical-trial/ "A clinical trial run by the National Cancer Institute seems to confirm that a single dose of the vaccine used to prevent infection with the human papilloma virus is just as effective as two — and, therefore, also helps to prevent cancer." https://www.who.int/news/item/20-12-2022-WHO-updates-recommendations-on-HPV-vaccination-schedule "WHO now recommends: A one or two-dose schedule for girls aged 9-14 years A one or two-dose schedule for girls and women aged 15-20 years Two doses with a 6-month interval for women older than 21 years" I agree this is worth discussing with her doctor. |
Anonymous
| Does that apply to all strains? Say the vaccine covers strains A, B, and C because those are the ones most correlated with cancer. And I have strain D already. Wouldn’t the vaccine still protect me from strains A, B, and C? |
Anonymous
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You only need 1 now!!
All the studies show one dose is as effective as two. |