The HPV vaccine is usually talked about as a vaccine for preteens, and that is where it does the most good. But many adults missed it. The FDA licensed the first HPV vaccine on June 8, 2006, and many people who are now in their late twenties, thirties and forties were too old for it when it arrived or were never offered it.

If that sounds like you, you may wonder whether it is worth getting now. The short answer: through age 26, yes. From 27 to 45, it depends, and the decision is one you make with your clinician.

A quick refresher on HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus spread through intimate skin to skin contact. Most infections clear on their own, but some types can cause genital warts, and some can lead to cancers later in life, including cervical cancer. The CDC says HPV vaccination provides "safe, effective, and long lasting protection against cancers caused by HPV infections," based on more than 15 years of data.

One key fact shapes the adult recommendations. The CDC explains that the vaccine prevents new HPV infections but does not treat existing infections or diseases. It works best when given before any exposure to HPV.

Who the CDC recommends it for

The CDC's recommendations fall into three groups.

Routine vaccination: ages 11 or 12. This is the main recommendation. Vaccination can start as early as age 9.

Catch up vaccination: through age 26. The CDC recommends vaccination for everyone through age 26 who was not adequately vaccinated when younger.

Shared clinical decision making: ages 27 through 45. The CDC says vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than 26. Still, some adults aged 27 through 45 who were not adequately vaccinated might decide to get it after talking with their clinician.

Why the advice changes after 26

The CDC is direct about why the vaccine is less of a blanket recommendation later. It says vaccinating people aged 27 to 45 "provides less benefit," for several reasons, including that more people in that age range have already been exposed to HPV.

The CDC also notes that most sexually active adults have already been exposed to HPV, although not necessarily to all of the types the vaccine covers. That is the reason the vaccine can still help some adults: it may protect against types they have not yet encountered.

Two other points from the CDC help frame the decision:

  • At any age, having a new sex partner is a risk factor for a new HPV infection.
  • People in a long term, mutually monogamous relationship are not likely to get a new HPV infection.

What "shared clinical decision making" means

Shared clinical decision making is a formal way of saying that you and your clinician decide together, based on your circumstances. The CDC says clinicians can consider discussing the vaccine with adults aged 27 through 45 who are most likely to benefit, and notes that it does not need to be discussed with most adults over 26.

In practice, a person who is more likely to benefit might be someone who:

  • Was never vaccinated or did not finish the series
  • Is starting a new relationship or expects new sexual partners
  • Has had relatively few partners so far, and so may not have been exposed to many HPV types

Someone in a long term monogamous relationship may benefit less. There is no single right answer, which is exactly why the CDC frames it as a conversation.

How many doses?

The number of doses depends on age at the first dose, according to the CDC:

  • Starting before the 15th birthday: two doses for most people, with the second given 6 to 12 months after the first.
  • Starting at ages 15 through 26: three doses, on a schedule of 0, 1 to 2 months and 6 months.
  • Immunocompromised people aged 9 through 26, including those with HIV, also receive three doses.

One recent change applies to children, not adults. On January 5, 2026, the CDC announced an updated childhood immunization schedule that keeps HPV among the vaccines recommended for all children, and the HHS fact sheet on the change says CDC now recommends one dose instead of two for children. CDC's ACIP HPV recommendations page still lists the 2019 adult recommendations as current, so ask your clinician which schedule applies to you.

ACIP's 2019 update says anyone starting the series on or after their 15th birthday gets three doses, and that dosing schedules did not change for adults aged 27 to 45. So adults who choose vaccination follow the three dose schedule. ACIP also notes that HPV vaccines are not licensed for adults over 45, and that no Pap or HPV test is needed before vaccination.

Is it safe?

The CDC describes HPV vaccines as very safe and says the benefits far outweigh the potential risks. Before licensure, the 9 valent vaccine, Gardasil 9, was studied in more than 15,000 males and females. The CDC states that no serious adverse events have been associated with any HPV vaccine, and monitoring continues through the CDC and FDA.

Common side effects reported in trials include:

  • Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, reported by 20 to 90 percent of recipients
  • A temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the 15 days after vaccination in 10 to 13 percent of recipients, a similar rate to placebo

Fainting can happen after any medical procedure, including vaccination. The CDC recommends sitting or lying down during the shot and staying that way for 15 minutes afterward.

Who should not get it

According to the CDC:

  • People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine component or a previous dose should not receive it.
  • Gardasil 9 is made in baker's yeast, so people with a history of immediate hypersensitivity to yeast should not receive it.
  • If you have a moderate or severe acute illness, vaccination should wait until you recover. A minor illness, like a mild cold, is not a reason to delay.

During pregnancy

The CDC says the HPV vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy, and pregnant people should wait until after pregnancy to start the series. Pregnancy testing before vaccination is not needed. If someone learns they are pregnant after receiving a dose, the CDC says there is no reason to be alarmed, and remaining doses should simply be delayed until after the pregnancy.

Vaccination does not replace screening

Even if you get vaccinated, keep up with cervical cancer screening. The vaccine does not cover every HPV type, and it does not treat infections you may already have. Our guide to Pap smears, HPV tests and cervical cancer screening explains current screening options.

Questions to ask your clinician

  1. Did I ever start or finish the HPV vaccine series?
  2. Given my age and situation, how much benefit would I likely get?
  3. How many doses would I need, and on what schedule?
  4. Will my insurance cover it at my age?
  5. Is my cervical cancer screening up to date?

The takeaway

The HPV vaccine is routine for preteens and recommended through age 26 for anyone who missed it. Between 27 and 45, it is a personal decision made with your clinician. Benefit is lower at those ages because many people have already been exposed to HPV, but it can still help some adults, especially those likely to have new partners. Whatever you decide, regular screening remains essential.

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice.

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