Declines in Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine-Type Infection Among Females after Introduction of Vaccine — United States, 2003–2018

In this report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) summarizes data that show a decline in vaccine-type prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) among young females after introduction of HPV vaccination in 2006.

Nationally representative data through 2018 indicate that HPV vaccine-type prevalence continues to decline among females age 14 to 19 years (88 percent) and age 20 to 24 years (81 percent), compared with before vaccination. The findings also show evidence of indirect protection of unvaccinated females through herd effects in these age groups.

CDC’s findings highlight that HPV vaccination is a critical prevention tool against HPV infection, anogenital warts, and HPV-attributable precancers and cancers. HPV vaccination is highly effective and is recommended routinely at age 11 to 12 years and through age 26 years for people not already vaccinated.