The federal government recommended that 11-12-year-olds only get two doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at least six months apart, rather than the current guideline of three doses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday that it still believes teens and young adults ages 15-26 years old who start the vaccination series later still need three doses. The vaccine is intended to protect against an HPV infection that can cause cancer. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, according to the CDC.
“This recommendation will make it simpler for parents to get their children protected in time,” CDC Director Tom Frieden said.
An expert panel voted Wednesday to recommend the two-dose schedule after reviewing a slew of studies that showed that kids ages nine-14 who got two doses responded better to the vaccine than young adults who received three doses.
“Generally, preteens receive HPV vaccine at the same time as whooping cough and meningitis vaccines,” the agency said. “Two doses of HPV vaccine given at least six months apart at ages 11 and 12 years will provide safe, effective and long-lasting protection against HPV cancers.”
