Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Adults: Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

TLDR

HPV vaccination prevents infections and HPV‑associated diseases, including cancers; ACIP recommends vaccination at ages 9–12 and offers catch‑up for females up to 26, males up to 21, and certain special populations up to 26. This report updates ACIP catch‑up HPV vaccination recommendations and guidance. The update builds on guidance issued in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Routine adolescent recommendations remain unchanged, while ACIP now recommends catch‑up vaccination for all through age 26 and advises shared clinical decision‑making for adults 27–45 who may benefit.

Abstract

Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) is recommended to prevent new HPV infections and HPV-associated diseases, including some cancers. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)* routinely recommends HPV vaccination at age 11 or 12 years; vaccination can be given starting at age 9 years. Catch-up vaccination has been recommended since 2006 for females through age 26 years, and since 2011 for males through age 21 years and certain special populations through age 26 years. This report updates ACIP catch-up HPV vaccination recommendations and guidance published in 2014, 2015, and 2016 (1-3). Routine recommendations for vaccination of adolescents have not changed. In June 2019, ACIP recommended catch-up HPV vaccination for all persons through age 26 years. ACIP did not recommend catch-up vaccination for all adults aged 27 through 45 years, but recognized that some persons who are not adequately vaccinated might be at risk for new HPV infection and might benefit from vaccination in this age range; therefore, ACIP recommended shared clinical decision-making regarding potential HPV vaccination for these persons.