The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended its recommendation for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to include individuals up to age 45.
This move aims to provide greater protection against various types of cancers, including cervical, head, and neck cancers, all of which are linked to HPV.
Since its introduction in 2006, the HPV vaccine has shown remarkable success in reducing the risk of cancer, particularly cervical cancer. Studies indicate an 87% drop in cervical cancer cases among women vaccinated between the ages of 12 and 13. In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also approved the vaccine to prevent oropharyngeal cancers, which cause 70% of head and neck cancers.
Originally recommended for females aged 9 to 26, and later expanded to include males, the FDA now advises vaccination for adults up to 45. “There are still many benefits from getting the vaccine at that age,” said Dr. Anuja Kriplani, head and neck oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “People can acquire different strains of HPV over time. As life and your relationships change, if you’re unvaccinated, you can still acquire the higher-risk strains later in life.”
Health experts encourage adults in their 20s, 30s, or 40s to consult with their primary care physicians regarding the potential benefits of vaccination. While the vaccine does not treat existing HPV infections, it can protect against other high-risk strains of the virus. With increasing life expectancy, experts suggest that the age limit for HPV vaccination could be expanded further in the future.
