WOMEN'S PREVENTIVE HEALTH
HPV and the HPV Vaccine: Prevent Cervical Cancer.
Nearly all cervical cancer is caused by HPV, and the vaccine helps prevent it.
The HPV vaccine is one of the strongest tools we have against cervical cancer. Here is what it does and who should get it. If you have been searching for HPV Virginia information, this page is a good place to start.
Almost all cervical cancer starts with HPV, a common virus, and the HPV vaccine helps stop it before it ever begins. Paired with regular cervical cancer screening, the vaccine gives women strong, lasting protection. That is true for women everywhere, and it is true for women who search for HPV help in Virginia, too.
What is HPV and how does it cause cervical cancer?
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a very common virus. Most infections clear on their own, but a lasting infection with certain types can slowly cause cervical cancer. Nearly all cervical cancer traces back to HPV, which is why prevention matters so much.
Because HPV drives almost every case, the vaccine and a routine Pap smear together are the best protection a woman has (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/hpv-cancer.htm). Read more about the Pap smear and our cervical cancer prevention guide to see how the two work together.
Who should get the HPV vaccine and when?
The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine routinely at ages 11 or 12, and it can start as early as age 9. Anyone not vaccinated earlier is recommended to catch up through age 26. Adults 27 to 45 can talk with a provider about whether it helps them.
More than 15 years of data show the vaccine is safe and long-lasting, and it can prevent over 90 percent of the cancers caused by HPV (CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/hcp/vaccination-considerations/index.html).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. More than 15 years of data show it is safe and provides long-lasting protection. If you have questions about HPV Virginia care or your own health history, talk with your doctor.
Yes. The CDC says adults 27 to 45 can talk with a provider about whether the vaccine helps them. The vaccine prevents most infections, but regular screening is still important. Your doctor can tell you what fits your situation, whether you look for HPV Virginia care or any other kind of care.
Ask your doctor or your local health department. They can tell you where to go and what it may cost. If you are searching for HPV Virginia options and you have no insurance, contact us, and we can tell you what help is available for screening.
No. The vaccine and a routine Pap smear work best together. Even if you are vaccinated, regular screening still matters. Learn more on our Pap smear page, and see our post on whether a Pap smear hurts if that is holding you back. This is true for HPV Virginia women and for women everywhere.