Los Angeles, CA
A 24-year-old male asked:
can i still request to get the hpv vaccine after age 26? i don't see how it would suddenly not work after age 26
3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Yes: Vaccines and medications have age ranges that are approved by the FDA (government). The age ranges are based on the research studies, which means the effects of getting Gardasil vaccine after age 26 are less known, unknown, less safe, etc... A person can always request a vaccine, and many doctors will say NO, but some will say YES. It would be "off label", so it would be self-pay (not insurance).
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Douglas Arenberganswered
Pulmonary Critical Care 31 years experience
Depends: it's not that the vaccine doesn't work. It's just that it's not as effective at preventing cervical cancer if you have already been exposed to it.
3.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Tanya Russo commented
Pediatrics 25 years experience
Agreed. Also, the immune response is not as robust as when given earlier in age.
Feb 14, 2015
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 46 years experience
Yes.. but....: To get drugs approved through the FDA it requires decades of research & proof of safety & effectiveness. The 9-26 age group was the target whose data was gathered & approved. It likely works for anyone with a normal immune system. Insurance companies usually only cover those in the FDA approved target. It is a pricy series, you can likely get it but expect to pay for it yourself.
498 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Similar questions
CA
A 34-year-old member asked:
What exactly is the HPV vaccine?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Cervical cancer vacc: The cervical cancer vaccine (human papilloma virus vaccine, or hpv vaccine) protects a person from being infected by the 2 strains of hpv virus responsible for causing most of the cervical cancers. One brand of the vaccine also protects against 2 other strains of hpv, which cause many genital warts. The same viruses can infect other body parts, so now the vaccine is also approved for use in boys.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Marcus Degraw commented
Pediatrics 22 years experience
No! Not just cervical cancer vaccine. GARDISIL is also approved to prevent vaginal, vulvar and anal cancers as well in girls PLUS genital warts. It is approved for men to prevent warts AND anal cancer. HPV also causes most non-melanoma skin cancer and > 70% of head-and-neck cancer! PLEASE don't think of this vaccine as a 'cervical cancer vaccine', it is WAYYYY more than that!
Nov 1, 2011
Dr. Marcus Degraw commented
Pediatrics 22 years experience
About 6,000 vag and vulvar cancers plus another 5-6,000 anal cancers PLUS several million genital wart cases per year more!
Nov 1, 2011
Dr. Robert Kwok commented
Pediatrics 33 years experience
Provided original answer
2015 update: The original Gardasil protects against 4 HPV strains. A new Gardasil that adds protection against 5 more strains of HPV, to protect against a total of 9 strains, will be available this year. This new version of the vaccine is called Gardasil-9.
Apr 1, 2015
A 23-year-old member asked:
Is it safe to get the HPV vaccine if you have hpv?
4 doctor answers • 12 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
A US doctor answeredLearn more
Not needed: Hpv vaccine is to prevent hpv. Ask you doctor what hpv number is positive because vaccine only protect against 4 different hpv types. If you are not positive to those then you may benefit from it.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:
Is it appropriate to receive the HPV vaccine after having sexual activities?
4 doctor answers • 15 doctors weighed in
Dr. Timothy Ashleyanswered
Internal Medicine and Pediatrics 15 years experience
Yes: While hpv vaccination is best given prior to any possible exposure, ie sex, having sex is not a contraindication, and there is still significant benefit in hpv vaccination. Start soon!
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Where is the HPV vaccine being made in north america?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Jennifer Diaboanswered
Pediatrics 22 years experience
Two manufacturers: Currently, there are 2 manufacturers of the hpv vaccine in america. The first is merck, the maker of the Gardasil vaccine, and the second is glaxo-smith-kline, the maker of cervarix.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Why are some scared of the HPV vaccine?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Grenitzanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 9 years experience
Fear is not rational: There are many factors that cause people top fear this vaccine. The truth is that the hpv vaccine is not a new technology. It is the same technology as the tetanus, hepatitis, measles and many other vaccines. The only vaccine side effect that is more common with hpv vaccine is fainting, so stay in your doctors office for at least 15 minutes after the shot.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Last updated Nov 2, 2019
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