Human papillomavirus (HPV) has made headline news with the recent approval of a vaccine to prevent the virus that can lead to genital warts and cervical cancer. Although ideally, the vaccine will be given to girls age 11 or 12 before they become sexually active, Job Corps students can still benefit from the vaccine series. The vaccine has been tested to be safe and effective in young women and does not contain mercury.

Quick facts about the vaccine:

• This vaccine should be administered in a 3-dose schedule. The second dose should be administered 2 months after the first. The third dose should be administered 4 months after the second.
• The vaccine has not been shown to have a therapeutic effect on woman who have an HPV-related disease.
• Lactating women can receive the vaccine, however, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
• The vaccine can be administered at the same time as other vaccines, such as Tdap, Td, and MCV4.
• Cervical cancer screening recommendations have not changed.
• No data is available on the efficacy of this vaccine in males.
• Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program should provide this vaccine for free to children and adolescents under age 19 who are uninsured or Medicaid-eligible.

More information about the quadrivalent HPV vaccine is available at:

• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). ACOG News Release, August 8, 2006
• ACIP Provisional Recommendations for the Use of Quadrivalent HPV Vaccine
• CDC's HPV and HPV Vaccine: Information for Healthcare Providers