Ask the VEC: Protection from HPV via Vaccine

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Q: If I was vaccinated against HPV, is there any chance that I can be infected?

A: Most people who got all of the recommended doses of the HPV vaccine will be protected against the types of HPV in the vaccine. However, there are several things to keep in mind:

  1. Vaccines do not typically work for 100 percent of the people immunized.
  2. If you did not receive all doses according to the recommended vaccine schedule, you are less likely to be protected.
  3. There will be types of HPV that the vaccine does not protect against because they were not in the vaccine. For example, if you received HPV-4, then you are likely protected against the two most common types of HPV that cause genital warts and the two most common types of HPV that cause cancers. If you got HPV-9, you are likely protected against an additional five types of HPV that cause cancer. 

Watch this video to learn more about receiving an additional dose of HPV-9 after having already received the full HPV-4 series.

Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.

You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.