we 💜 the HPV vaccine
April is STI Awareness month so we thought we’d talk about one of the STIs we get the most questions about on OkaySo: HPV. HPV is the most common STI and it’s also the only one with a vaccine! So it’s worth digging into a bit.
Luckily we knew just the people to call: our friends at the HPV Vaccination Program in New York City who are working hard to help all NYC youth get the HPV vaccine.
Elise: Let’s start off by making sure we’re all on the same page. What is HPV and how is it transmitted between people?
HPV Program: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts or cause pre-cancers and cancers later in life. HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
Elise: I know that someone can have an STI but not have any symptoms, so how does someone know if they have HPV and is it treatable?
HPV Program: Although more than 80% of sexually active people will get an HPV infection at some point in their lives, most infections are cleared by your immune system without treatment. For this reason, most providers don’t test for it in young people and many people will never even know they had the infection. Some types of HPV, however, can cause genital warts (small bumps around your genitals or anus). Genital warts can go away on their own, but in many cases they can be treated or removed, so you should consult a medical provider if you notice any signs or symptoms.
Elise: You mentioned that the body clears most infections, but not all of them. How can HPV harm our bodies over time?
HPV Program: Certain strains of HPV, if not cleared by the immune system, can cause pre-cancer or cancer later in life. Regular screenings for cervical cancer are recommended beginning at age 21, however other HPV-related cancers including oral cancers, anal cancers, penile cancers, vulvar cancers, and vaginal cancers, don’t have similar screening tests. This is one reason why preventing HPV is so important.
Elise: Of course condoms are one strategy for preventing HPV, but a vaccine! So exciting. What is the HPV vaccine and who can get it?
HPV Program: The HPV vaccine protects against the most common and most dangerous types of HPV – including the 7 types of HPV that most commonly cause cancer and the 2 types of HPV that most commonly cause genital warts. The 2- or 3-dose vaccine series is safe and effective, and recommended for all adolescents and young adults ages 9 to 26. The CDC recommends beginning the series by age of 11, but anyone under age 26 should be vaccinated as soon as possible (if you start the series after age 15 you will need a 3rd dose to be fully protected). After the age of 26, the HPV vaccination provides fewer benefits because people may have already been exposed to HPV, however, you should still consult your medical provider to discuss the best option for you.
Elise: If someone is reading this and hasn’t gotten the vaccine yet, how would they go about getting the it? Are there any common challenges with getting the vaccine that people should know about?
HPV Project: The HPV vaccine is accessible at doctor offices, community health clinics, school-based health centers, and health departments. In many places, parent/guardian consent can be a barrier, but in New York State, sexually active minors can self-consent to the HPV vaccine as part of their confidential sexual health services. Ask your medical provider for more information about the regulations in your state. You can also look up your state here.
Elise: Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us. Please tell us more about your work! What is the HPV project and who are you working with?
HPV Program: The HPV Vaccination Program's goal is to increase the overall rate of HPV vaccination and awareness among NYC adolescents by working with School-Based Health Centers (SBHC). The program provides provider and staff education on HPV vaccination and best practices, as well as on-site student outreach and education activities to ensure that adolescents have the necessary information to make informed decisions regarding the HPV vaccine.
Elise: First, I just want to say thank you so much for your work and for taking the time to speak with me today. You’ve talked to so many young people about HPV. What is the one thing that is most important for them to know?
The HPV vaccine is recommended for all adolescents to protect them against HPV infection and related cancers!
If you have more questions about HPV, you can always download OkaySo and ask the experts in our STIs/Safer Sex team. We got you!
Keep learning:
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How do I tell my partner I have an STI?