HPV Vaccine Effectiveness Dependent on Age at Receipt

[Anish]

The effectiveness of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine against HPV types 16 and 18 is highly dependent on the age at which it is given. Prevalence rates have been shown to be significantly lower among girls who are vaccinated at the recommended ages of 9 to 12 years compared to those who are vaccinated after their sexual debut, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicate.

[Milind]

@anish HPV vaccination does not have any therapeutic effect on HPV infections already acquired, which is more likely to explain the difference in prevalence between pre-debut vs post-debut recipients than a lower immune response [among older recipients]