Talking to Parents 

about HPV Vaccine 

Recommend HPV vaccination in the same way and on the same day as all adolescent vaccines. You can say, “Now that your 

son is 11, he is due for vaccinations today to help protect him from meningitis, HPV cancers, and whooping cough. Do you have 

any questions?” Remind parents of the follow-up shots their child will need and ask them to make appointments before they leave.

Why does my child need 

HPV vaccine? HPV vaccine is important because 

it prevents infections that can 

cause cancer. That’s why we need 

to start the shot series today. 

How do you know the 

vaccine works? Studies continue to prove HPV 

vaccination works extremely well, 

decreasing the number of infections

and HPV precancers in young 

people since it has been available.

Why do they need

HPV vaccine at such

a young age?

Like all vaccines, we want to give 

HPV vaccine earlier rather than 

later. Getting the vaccine now 

protects your child long before 

they are ever exposed. If you wait 

until your child is older, he/she 

may end up needing three shots 

instead of two.

Why do boys need the 

HPV vaccine? HPV vaccination can help prevent 

future infections that can lead to 

cancers of the penis, anus, and 

back of the throat in men.

Are all of these vaccines 

actually required? I strongly recommend each of 

these vaccines and so do experts 

at the CDC and major medical 

organizations. School entry 

requirements are developed for 

public health and safety, but don’t 

always reflect the most current 

medical recommendations for 

your child’s health. 

Would you get HPV 

vaccine for your kids? Yes, I gave HPV vaccine to my 

child (or grandchild, etc.) when 

he was 11, because I wanted to 

help protect him from cancer in 

the future.

What diseases are 

caused by HPV?

Some HPV infections can cause 

cancer—like cancer of the cervix 

or in the back of the throat—but 

we can protect your child from 

these cancers in the future by 

getting the first HPV shot today.

Is my child really at risk 

for HPV? HPV is a very common infection in 

women and men that can cause 

cancer. Starting the vaccine series 

today will help protect your child 

from the cancers and diseases 

caused by HPV. 

I’m worried my child will 

think that getting this 

vaccine makes it OK to 

have sex.

Studies tell us that getting HPV 

vaccine doesn’t make kids more 

likely to start having sex. I made 

sure my child (or grandchild, 

etc.) got HPV vaccine, and I 

recommend we give your child 

her first HPV shot today.

I’m worried about the 

safety of HPV vaccine. 

Do you think it’s safe?

Yes, HPV vaccination is very safe. 

Like any medication, vaccines can 

cause side effects, including pain, 

swelling, or redness where the 

shot was given. That’s normal for 

HPV vaccine too and should go 

away in a day or two. Sometimes 

kids faint after they get shots and 

they could be injured if they fall 

from fainting. We’ll have your child 

stay seated after the shot to help 

protect him/her.

Can HPV vaccine cause 

infertility in my child? There is no evidence available to 

suggest that getting HPV vaccine 

will have an effect on future fertility. 

However, women who develop an 

HPV precancer or cancer could 

require treatment that would limit 

their ability to have children. CS269453B

Last updated MAY 2018