women s health issues
Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention
HPV vaccine
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine provides immunity to the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers (and genital warts and other cancers, including those of the anus, vagina, penis, throat, and esophagus). The vaccine can help prevent cervical and other cancers. Being vaccinated before becoming sexually active is best, but people who are already sexually active should also be vaccinated. Doctors recommend that vaccination in children at age 11 or 12 years, but children can be vaccinated as early as age 9 years. For people under age 15 years, two doses of the vaccine are given 6 to 12 months apart. For people aged 15 to 26 years, three doses of the vaccine are given. The first dose is followed by a dose 2 months later. The last dose is given 6 months after the first. 