The goal of the HPV VACs (Vaccinate Adolescents against Cancers) Project is to increase HPV vaccination rates for adolescents across the nation. With a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Cancer Society has expanded cancer prevention and early detection activities with federally qualified health care centers (FQHCs) to increase HPV vaccination through improved provider awareness and education and improved system wide processes. Additionally, we partner with state health departments and other state-based entities to facilitate system changes that increase the availability and utilization of the HPV vaccine.
The HPV vaccine is cancer prevention. It prevents infection by high risk types of human papillomavirus, or HPV, that cause the majority of cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and throat cancers and genital warts. The vaccine is most effective when given before age 13 to achieve the best immune response, and most complete coverage against cancer-causing strains of HPV. That’s why the American Cancer Society recommends that boys and girls get the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12.
