9vHPV Vaccination Study

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a 2-dose schedule of the 9vHPV vaccine is as effective as a 3-dose schedule of the 9vHPV vaccine among women ages 16-45 years. The information obtained from this research will help medical providers understand more about how to improve vaccination regimens.

• You will receive a total of three HPV shots across the span of 6-12 months.

• You will complete two brief surveys when you first sign up for the study and will complete an additional survey at either month 7 or month 12 of the study.

• You are 16 through 45 years of age and eligible for the HPV vaccine.

• You are schedule and/or eligible to receive the HPV vaccine as part of your regular medical cares here.

• You are a current BMC patient.

• Qualifying participants will receive a total of $180 ($100 on a Clincard and $80 transportation stipend)

  • • the Clincard functions like a giftcard

    • if the entire transportation stipend is not used, balance is loaded to Clincard

• Please call (617) 851-1537 if you are interested. Or email: HPV@bmc.org

• HPV = Human Papilloma Virus

• HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the U.S.

• HPV is a different virus than HIV and HSV (herpes)

There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers. It is spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus (most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex).

Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person. Symptoms of HPV can be dormant for years after you have sex with someone who is infected so it is hard to know when you first became infected. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. People who are already in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship are not likely to get a new HPV infection.

HPV can cause cervical and other cancers including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. It can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils (called oropharyngeal cancer).

HPV vaccination significantly reduces your chances of getting HPV. The 9-valent (9vHPV) vaccine protects against 6, 11, 16, and 18, the types targeted by the quadrivalent HPV vaccine (4vHPV), as well as HPV types 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends HPV vaccination at age 11 or 12 but can start at age 9 and for everyone through age 26 years.Vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years.

However, CDC gives providers the permission to recommend HPV vaccination to their older patients (27-45 years) who are not already vaccinated that are most likely to benefit.

Side effects of the HPV vaccine are mild.

Most common side effects include:

• Pain, redness, or swelling in the arm where the shot was given

• Fever

• Dizziness or fainting (fainting after any vaccine, including the HPV vaccine, is more common among adolescents)

• Nausea

• Headache or feeling tired

• Muscle or joint pain

HPV vaccine does not cause HPV infection or cancer. HPV vaccine is made from one protein from the virus and is not infectious, meaning that it cannot cause HPV infection or cancer. There is no evidence to suggest that the HPV vaccine causes fertility problems. Not getting HPV vaccine leaves people vulnerable to HPV cancers and pre-cancers (abnormal cells that can lead to cancer).