Human papillomavirus vaccine for children and adolescents

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is known to cause genital warts, cervical cancer, penile cancer, anal cancer and oropharyngeal cancer. In North America, the lifetime cumulative incidence of HPV infection is estimated at more than 70% for all HPV types combined. A safe and effective vaccine against nine HPV types is available. HPV vaccine should be administered routinely to all girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 13 years of age. All youth who have not received the vaccine in a routine program should receive the vaccine in a ‘catch-up’ program. Physicians caring for children and youth should advocate for funding and implementation of universal HPV vaccine programs.