Why HPV Vaccination is Important for the Military Community It is your duty to maintain your health and readiness as a Warfighter. This includes protecting yourself from high-risk health issues like those caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). As the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, HPV affects around 13 million Americans each year. There are over 150 types of HPV, with 40 of those affecting the genital area. Genital HPV is passed from one person to another through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts and cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus and in the back of the throat. Active-duty service members and veterans are twice as likely to develop cancers associated with HPV. In the United States, HPV causes over 36,000 cases of cancer annually, including almost all cases of cervical cancer. Every year, more than 11,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer and about 4,000 U.S. women die from the disease. Getting vaccinated against HPV is safe and can prevent more than 90% of cancers caused by the virus. The vaccine provides long-lasting protection from HPV and does not affect fertility. Vaccination can protect you from the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and prevent HPV infections that cause other types of cancer, which are less likely to be found until more serious health problems develop. Despite these benefits, vaccination rates among military personnel and veterans are low. The HPV vaccine is recommended for everyone starting as early as age 9. If you are not vaccinated or have not yet completed all doses of the vaccine, you can still catch up through the age of 26. For those older than 26 years, vaccination may still be beneficial; discuss with your health care provider whether the HPV vaccine is right for you. Since the introduction of HPV vaccines in the U.S., cases with HPV types that lead to cancer and genital warts have dropped significantly. The HPV vaccine is regularly monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more about the safety of the HPV vaccine, click here. It is important to protect yourself and those around you from HPV. Service members can receive the HPV vaccine at military health care facilities. Visit the TRICARE website to learn more about coverage and find a location near you. You can also schedule an appointment with your base clinic or health care provider. Additional ResourcesMilitary Health System - “Human Papillomavirus”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Human Papillomavirus (HPV)”ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention - “Basic Information about HPV and Cancer”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “HPV Vaccination is Safe and Effective”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - “Reasons to Get HPV Vaccine”Washington Post - “Military members half as likely as civilians to receive HPV vaccine”
