Your doctor can answer questions about the HPV vaccine. The vaccine protects against human papillomavirus (HPV), which spreads through skin-to-skin contact. HPV can lead to cervical and other cancers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV causes nearly 35,000 cases of cancer each year. The CDC recommends the vaccine for adolescent boys and girls, as well as for adults through their mid-20s.