The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends two doses of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for optimal cancer prevention. Early vaccination is key to preventing HPV-related infections and cancers:
- If vaccinated between ages 9–14: Two doses recommended
- If vaccinated between ages 15–26: Three doses recommended
Select the links below to jump to a specific topic.
- Provider’s Role in HPV Vaccination
- Update to HPV Forecast
- Quality Improvement for HPV Vaccination
- HPV Vaccine at Age Nine Resources
- HPV Toolkits for Your Practice
- HPV Vaccine Coverage Data
- HPV at Nine Data and Research
- HPV at Nine Webinars and Trainings
- Washington State HPV Free Taskforce
Provider’s Role in HPV Vaccination
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is cancer prevention. The vaccine helps protect against six types of cancer, including oropharyngeal, cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, and penile cancers.
- Your provider recommendation is the number one reason parents choose to vaccinate their children. Recommend HPV vaccination starting at age 9 to ensure your patients are protected against HPV and the cancers it can cause.
- A strong recommendation at age 9 will increase vaccination success. Starting at age 9 gives health care providers and patients time to complete the HPV series before preteens need to get the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) and meningococcal vaccinations (MenACWY).
- The American Cancer Society (ACS), the ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend that HPV vaccination can start at age 9.
Update to HPV Forecast
In 2022, the Washington State Vaccine Advisory Committee passed a motion to routinely start HPV vaccination at age 9 and to track and publish state and county data on HPV vaccination coverage rates for children ages 9-10 years.
As a result, on January 20, 2023, the Washington State Immunization Information System (IIS) updated the HPV forecast to start at age 9 instead of age 11. Read more about this change and find important resources.
- IIS Update Notification to Providers
- Provider Letter Concerning HPV Vaccine (PDF)
- Vaccine Provider Letter From the Washington State HPV Free Task Force (PDF)
Quality Improvement for HPV Vaccination
Several resources exist to help providers and clinics with improving immunization rates.
- Immunization Quality Improvement for Providers (IQIP)
- Training Tools (HPV IQ)
- Washington Child Health Improvement Partnership (wa-chip)
- Scheduling Future Coverage Rate Reports: Example provided for HPV 2 dose series for age 9-10 years (YouTube)
HPV Vaccine at Age Nine Resources
Adolescent Immunization Schedule
- English: Adolescent Immunization Schedule At a Glance – 8.5x11” poster (PDF)
- Spanish: Calendario de Vacunación Para Adolescentes en Breve (PDF)
Health Care Provider Tools
- HPV Vaccination Recommendations (AAP)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- HPV Vaccination Algorithm (PDF)
- HPV vaccine VIS (Immunize.org)
- Current state-supplied HPV-containing vaccines
- HPV Vaccine Discussion Guide for Providers (PDF) (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- National HPV Vaccination Roundtable
- Order and print DOH resources through MyPrint
- Links for providers on vaccine topics
Announcement Approach
The Announcement Approach is a simple method used to recommend the HPV vaccine. Learn more by selecting the flyer link below and watch the training videos to see how it is used in practice.
HPV Reminder Recall Letter and Cards
- Reminder Recall Letter (multi-language)
- Customizable Reminder/Recall Card – Your Adolescent is Due for a Health Checkup! (includes HPV, Tdap, and meningococcal reminders)
HPV Dose Reminder Cards and Cue Cards
- Age 9-14 English (PDF) | Age 9-14 Spanish (PDF)
- Age 15+ English (PDF) | Age 15+ Spanish (PDF)
- HPV Cue Card - English (PDF) (hpvroundtable.org)
- HPV Cue Card - Spanish (PDF) (hpvroundtable.org)
HPV Patient Resources
- HPV Vaccine at Age Nine
- Protect Your Child from Cancers Caused by HPV (Flyer) (PDF)
- Prevent HPV Cancer Starting at Age 9 (Digital Version) (PDF)
- Prevent HPV Cancer Starting at Age 9 (Print Version) (PDF)
- Do it for their future. A future that’s free from HPV cancers! (Poster) (PDF)
- HPV Vaccine Infographic for Families (PDF) (AAP) | Spanish (PDF)
- HPV Vaccine is Important to Give to Children (PDF) (AAP)
Send your patients to visit DOH’s HPV Vaccine at Age Nine webpage to help them learn about why HPV vaccine is most effective between ages 9 and 12 years.
HPV Social Media Posts
- HPV Awareness (YouTube) | HPV Awareness (Spanish) (YouTube)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (AAP)
- HPV Vaccination Social Media Toolkit (PDF) (ACS)
- Images and text for your social media campaigns
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Right-click to save each image. Suggested social media text is also provided.
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Did you know HPV can cause cancers 5 to 20 years after infection? Protect your child's future by giving them the HPV vaccine beginning at age 9. The HPV vaccine protects against over 90 percent of the cancers caused by HPV. Learn more at https://doh.wa.gov/hpv-at-nine
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¿Sabía que el VPH puede causar cáncer entre 5 y 20 años después de la infección? Proteja el futuro de su hijo o hija vacunándolo contra el VPH a partir de los 9 años. La vacuna contra el VPH protege contra más del 90% de los cánceres causados por este virus. Aprenda más en: https://doh.wa.gov/hpv-at-nine
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The HPV vaccine is most effective and recommended at age 9, because it produces the most infection-fighting cells. This also ensures immunity is already in place before any exposure to the virus. Learn more about the HPV vaccine from a pediatrician in Seattle: HPV vaccine and your kids: Doctor Q&A
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La vacuna contra el VPH es más efectiva y se recomienda a partir de los 9 años, porque ayuda al cuerpo a producir más defensas para combatir infecciones. Esto también asegura que la protección ya esté en su lugar antes de que exista cualquier contacto con el virus. Aprenda más sobre la vacuna contra el VPH con un pediatra en Seattle: HPV vaccine and your kids: Doctor Q&A (solo en inglés)
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The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Cancer Society recommend that all children get vaccinated against HPV between the ages of 9 and 12. When you vaccinate your child on time, you help protect them from HPV cancers. Learn more about HPV Vaccine: What Parents Need to Know
Spanish
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La Academia Americana de Pediatría y la Sociedad Americana del Cáncer recomiendan que todos los niños reciban la vacuna contra el VPH entre los 9 y 12 años. Cuando vacuna a su hijo o hija a tiempo, ayuda a protegerlo contra los cánceres causados por el VPH. Infórmese más en: Vacuna contra el VPH: qué deben saber los padres - HealthyChildren.org
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Your child is learning, growing, and building their future. Make sure HPV cancers stay out of their world by getting your child the HPV vaccine between the ages of 9 and 12. The HPV vaccine is cancer prevention! Learn more about Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
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Su hijo está aprendiendo, creciendo y construyendo su futuro. Ayude a mantener los cánceres causados por el VPH fuera de la vida de su hijo o hija vacunándolo contra el VPH entre los 9 y 12 años. La vacuna contra el VPH previene el cáncer. Aprenda más en Virus del papiloma humano (VPH)
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Cancer prevention starts now with the #HPVvaccine, which can help keep your 9- to 12-year-old child safe from 6 types of cancer caused by HPV. Talk to a doctor or local pharmacist about the HPV vaccine today!
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La prevención del cáncer empieza ahora con la vacuna contra el VPH, que puede ayudar a proteger a su hijo o hija de 9 a 12 años contra seis tipos de cáncer causados por el VPH. Hable hoy con un médico o con su farmacéutico local sobre la vacuna contra el VPH.
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Give your child the gift of lasting protection from HPV and 6 types of related cancers. Talk to your child’s doctor or pharmacist about the #HPVvaccine and make their future a healthier one.
Spanish
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Dele a su hijo o hija el regalo de una protección duradera contra el VPH y seis tipos de cáncer relacionados. Hable con el médico o el farmacéutico de su hijo o hija sobre la #VacunaVPH y ayúdele a tener un futuro más saludable.
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Cancer prevention starts with you! HPV vaccination can prevent up to 92% of cancers caused by HPV. Just 2 doses protect you from 6 types of cancer. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist today. #HPVawareness.
Spanish
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La prevención del cáncer empieza con usted. La vacuna contra el VPH previene hasta el 92% de los cánceres causados por este virus. Solo dos dosis lo protegen contra seis tipos de cáncer. Hable hoy con un médico o farmacéutico.
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The #HPVvaccine is a crucial step in protecting your 9- to 12-year-old child from future HPV-related cancers. Schedule an appointment with your child’s doctor or pharmacist today to ensure they’re protected!
Spanish
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La #VacunaVPH es un paso importante para proteger a su hijo o hija de 9 a 12 años contra futuros cánceres relacionados con este virus. Haga una cita hoy con el médico o el farmacéutico de su hijo o hija para asegurarse de que esté protegido.
HPV Toolkits for Your Practice
Start HPV Vaccination at Age 9 Toolkit (National HPV Vaccination Roundtable, American Cancer Society)
Use this toolkit to start recommending HPV vaccine at ages 9 and 10, so it leads to higher rates of finishing the series on time at age 11-12, providing the best cancer prevention for your patients. New research reinforces the recommendation to start offering HPV vaccines at age nine.
HPV VAX NOW Healthcare Provider Outreach Toolkit (Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Use this toolkit to help young adult patients get the HPV vaccine. Health care providers play an important role in getting young adults vaccinated with HPV vaccine through age 26. The HPV vaccine is routinely recommended at ages 11 and 12, but young adults through age 26 who have not been vaccinated still need to get the vaccine to protect against HPV-related cancers.
HPV VAX NOW Young Adult Outreach Toolkit (Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Anyone can use this toolkit to encourage young adults to get the HPV vaccine now. All young adults 26 and younger need the HPV vaccine. And the sooner you get the vaccine, the better it protects you against cancer.
HPV Dental Toolkit (Massachusetts Oral HPV Task Force)
This toolkit aims to improve HPV knowledge for dentists. It's used in dental outreach across Massachusetts and has been successfully adapted in other states. It includes internal training materials on how to recommend the HPV vaccine, as well as in-office communication materials. The HPV Dental Toolkit now includes materials in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Chinese, and Vietnamese!
HPV infection can lead to oral cancers. Oropharyngeal cancer in men is rising sharply in recent years. Oral health care providers are in a great position to explain the risks of HPV and oral cancer and empower their patients ages 9 to 26 to get the HPV vaccine.
Other HPV Dental Resources:
HPV Vaccine Coverage Data
HPV at Nine Data and Research
Data and Research over the years show that the HPV vaccine is most effective when given between ages 9 and 12. Below are some of the research papers and corresponding data that support this:
- Immunization Measures by County Dashboard
- HPV Vaccination at 9 Years Old, Washington State (PDF)
- For a more depth look at Washington state’s HPV at nine initiative: Effect of immunization registry-based provider reminder to initiate HPV vaccination at age 9, Washington state (tandfonline.com)
- Why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends initiating HPV vaccine at age 9 Pub Med (nih.gov)
- Article collection: HPV Vaccination Starting at Age 9 (tandfonline.com)
HPV at Nine Webinars and Trainings
Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for a current list of free continuing education courses for credit. Some of the courses are about HPV vaccination.
Below are trainings for improving HPV vaccination at age 9 rates. Continuing Education (CE) credits may be available.
- HPV Vaccination Promising Practices Series (National HPV Vaccination Roundtable)
- HPV Infection: Immunizing for Cancer Prevention (North Dakota State University Center for Immunization Research and Education)
- HPV Age 9 Webinar (National Cancer Institute)
- HPV Vaccination Age 9 From Research to Implementation (Association of Immunization Managers)
- Understanding HPV Disparities in Rural Communities & Addressing HPV Vaccine Hesitancy (WithinReach and the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington)
- Educating and Empowering Youth and Families with HPV Vaccine Information PDF) (Slides only) (Washington School-Based Health Alliance)
- Strategies for Improving HPV Vaccination Rates (PDF) (Slides only) (nfid.org)
Washington State HPV Free Taskforce
Are you interested in getting more involved with HPV vaccination efforts? If so, the Washington State HPV Free Taskforce is for you! Their mission is to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in Washington state and reduce the amount of HPV associated disease by engaging and supporting diverse partners and increasing knowledge about HPV and cancer prevention. See their flyer about the WA HPV Free Task Force (PDF).
The taskforce includes representatives from various sectors including Federally Qualified Health Centers, managed care organizations/payers, hospitals, primary care providers, government, tribal entities, HPV cancer survivors, and others involved in HPV vaccination and prevention. For more information visit Washington State HPV Free Task Force (immunitycommunitywa.org).
If you would like to get involved or learn more, please contact Sahla Suman with the Department of Health at Sahla.suman@doh.wa.gov. Please familiarize yourself with the Taskforce’s Group Agreements (PDF) prior to attending our meetings.