I've heard about the HPV vaccine for teenage girls. But I'm not sure my 14-year-old daughter needs it because she's not sexually active. What should I do? – Lora The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine is now recommended for girls and boys both. It will help to protect them from HPV-related cancers and genital warts. The vaccine has the best chance of protecting against infection if a person gets the series of shots before becoming sexually active. Here's what doctors recommend: For kids and teens ages 9–14, the HPV vaccine is given in 2 shots over a 6- to 12-month period. For teens and young adults (ages 15–26), it's given in 3 shots over a 6-month period. HPV is very common, affecting more than half of sexually active people at some point in their lives, often in their teens and twenties. Some strains of HPV that spread through sexual contact can cause cervical cancer, as well as cancers of the penis, anus, vagina, vulva, mouth, and throat. Recent research suggests that HPV might even be linked to cardiovascular disease in women. While a girl may not be sexually active now, she likely will be at some point in her life. Girls may get HPV in their teenage or young adult years, and then develop cancer years later. So getting the vaccine on time can help protect your daughter's health now and later in life. Back to Articles Related Articles Your Child's Immunizations: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Find out when and why your child needs to get this vaccine. Read More Genital Warts (HPV) Genital warts usually are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which also can lead to cervical cancer and other types of cancer. A vaccine can prevent HPV infection. Read More STDs Parents should learn about the most common STDs, how they spread, and how they're diagnosed and treated. Read More Your Daughter's First Gynecology Visit The idea of going to the gynecologist may make your daughter feel nervous. Here's how to make her feel more comfortable about a well-woman visit. Read More HPV Vaccine The HPV vaccine can help protect against the virus that causes genital warts and may lead to some kinds of cancer. Find out more in this article for teens. Read More Do I Need a Pelvic Exam if I Had the HPV Vaccine? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Gyn Checkups Girls should get their first gynecological checkup between ages 13 and 15. Find out what happens during a yearly gyn visit -- and why most girls don't get internal exams. Read More Do I Have to Get All My HPV Vaccine Shots? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) You've probably heard lots of discouraging news about sexually transmitted diseases. The good news is that STDs can be prevented. Find out how to protect yourself. Read More Talking to Your Partner About STDs You know you should talk about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) before the action starts. But what if the thought of having "the talk" makes you nervous? These tips can help. Read More Genital Warts (HPV) Genital warts usually are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which also can lead to cervical cancer and other types of cancer. The HPV vaccine can prevent HPV infection. Read More Common Questions About Immunizations Immunizations have protected millions of children from potentially deadly diseases. Learn about immunizations and find out exactly what they do - and what they don't. Read More Immunization Schedule Which vaccines does your child need and when? Use this immunization schedule as a handy reference. Read More Your Child's Immunizations Immunizations protect kids from many dangerous diseases. Find out what vaccines your child needs to grow up healthy. Read More Can Getting the HPV Vaccine Help If I Already Have Genital Warts? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.