Quick facts
- The HPV vaccine is safe and effective cervical cancer prevention
- HPV vaccination of girls prevents cervical cancer by preventing the common HPV infections that cause cancer.
- The vaccine prevents infection by the 2 high-risk types of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancers (type 16 and 18)
- The HPV vaccine works like other vaccinations – triggering the body’s immune response so it can effectively recognize and fight the HPV infection. The vaccine has been demonstrated to be most effective in preadolescent girls (9-14), because their immune response to the vaccine is strongest at this age and because it is before their first exposure to HPV.
- For maximum protection, girls should receive two doses of the vaccine, six months apart
Because of the high cervical cancer burden, the World Health Organization currently recommends HPV vaccine for girls in low-resource settings. Where the vaccine is affordable, WHO also recommends boys be vaccinated.
HPV Vaccine key messages
- HPV Vaccine is Cervical Cancer prevention.
- HPV vaccine is Safe and Effective.
- HPV Vaccine is given for free to 10-year-old girls in public health facilities in Kenya.
- HPV Vaccine is given in two doses, 6 months apart.
