HPV Vaccine for Childhood Cancer Survivors

Fact: The HPV vaccine is one of the safest vaccines on the market.

According to the National Cancer Institute, no serious side effects have been shown from HPV vaccines. The most common problems are similar to those experienced with other vaccines — pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling at the injection site. A headache may also occur.

By law, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determines that any vaccine must be safe and effective before it is licensed and used.

The CDC and the FDA are continually monitoring the safety of all vaccines on the market to ensure no new or late-onset side effects are occurring in the population. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) captures information regarding reactions from vaccines. Contact your healthcare provider and use the online form or downloadable form to report a reaction.

People who are currently ill should wait until the infection has cleared and have not had fever for at least 24 hours prior to receiving the vaccine.

Pregnant women should not have the vaccine because it has not been sufficiently tested during pregnancy. Anyone with a severe allergy to yeast or aluminum should not receive the vaccine. Allergic reactions to the vaccine may include hives, breathing difficulties, and weakness. Other reactions to the vaccine that would warrant immediate healthcare attention would be a high fever or change in behavior.

The most common side effects were dizziness, fainting, headache, nausea, and fever. Additionally, pain, redness and swelling were reported in the shot arm.

As fainting can be associated with any vaccination, it is recommended that the vaccinated patient be seated or lie down for up to 15 minutes after vaccination.

Fact: The vaccine has been available since June 2006. Continued studies and monitoring of the vaccine show only rare side effects and late effects.

Over 100 million doses of the HPV vaccine were distributed in the United States from June 2006 through December 2017. In a 10-year follow-up study, the vaccine was found to be extremely safe. Dozens of additional studies have looked into possible associations with a number of autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as Guillian-Barré Syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), chronic regional pain syndrome (CPRS), and chronic fatigue syndrome and have found no increased risk for those who receive the HPV vaccine.

For more information, read the 2020 New England Journal of Medicine article on HPV Vaccination and the Risk of Invasive Cervical Cancer.

Fact: There is no increased risk of death following the HPV vaccine.

The CDC and the Vaccine Safety Datalink have conducted studies investigating reported deaths following the HPV vaccine. The majority of deaths following vaccine were confirmed to be unrelated to the vaccine (e.g., accidents, suicide, etc.) and that there was no evidence to suggest HPV vaccine can cause death.

Fact: Men get HPV-related cancers, too, and also need the vaccine.

Almost 20,000 men get cancers caused by HPV every year in the U.S. That is 43% of all HPV-related cancer cases. These figures are on the rise in young adult males. The most common HPV-related cancer for men is oropharyngeal (throat) cancer, but men can also get cancers of the anus and rectum, mouth, and penis. And unlike cervical cancer in women, there are no routine screening tests for these cancers. That means they are often detected at a later stage when the cancers become more difficult to treat.

Males also get and pass on the types of HPV (types 6 and 11) that cause genital warts.

Males can pass HPV to their partner, even if they aren’t showing any signs or symptoms of HPV.

For more information on the cancers associated with HPV, visit the CDC’s U.S. Cancer Statistics Data Brief on the topic.

Fact: The vaccine is most effective when given before sexual activity begins.

HPV vaccines offer the best protection to boys and girls who complete the series of immunizations and have time to develop a strong immune response well before they begin sexual activity with another person.

Vaccination prior to sexual activity provides the strongest correlation to prevention. Most new infections are found among those who are newly sexually active. It’s important to remember that sexual activity can mean a lot of things. Even using hands to explore genital areas can result in transmission — but penetration has consistently been thought to be the source of most transmission.

Fact: Each dose is exactly the same.

No matter the sex of the patient or the timing when a patient receives a dose of the vaccine, doses are the same.

Fact: Clinical evidence finds no connection between increased sexual activity and the HPV vaccine.

A number of respected studies have looked closely at this issue. Each has concluded that the HPV vaccine does not have any effect on sexual behavior and should not keep parents from vaccinating their children.

Fact: The HPV vaccine is on the CDC schedule of recommended vaccines.

Because schools don’t require the vaccine, that doesn’t mean it’s not necessary. The CDC recommends HPV vaccination. It is important to vaccinate at ages 11–12 if possible or as soon as practicable.

Fact: There isn’t a need to discuss specifics with children when they get this vaccine.

As with other shots such as Hepatitis B (Hep B), MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis also known as whooping cough), inform children that the shots are being provided to keep them healthy and, in the case of HPV, free from worry about HPV cancers.

Fact: Studies find no evidence of a link between fertility issues and the vaccine.

CDC studies specifically reviewed amenorrhea (when a woman of reproductive age doesn’t have a period) and primary ovarian insufficiency (premature menopause). There were no differences in rates of amenorrhea between the females who received the HPV vaccine and those who did not. From 2009–2015, more than 60 million doses of Gardasil were distributed for use in the United States. During this time period, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) received 17 reports of primary ovarian insufficiency. Fifteen reports were considered hearsay which did not provide enough information to confirm diagnosis. Two reports were from physicians. 

Fact: No correlation has been shown that the vaccine causes cancer. Rather, it prevents cancer.

The vaccine series prevents infection from the HPV types that most cause 6 types of cancer affecting men and women.