This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

The HPV vaccine is one of the most studied tools for preventing cancers and genital warts caused by human papillomavirus. This page answers common questions for San Antonio residents about the HPV vaccine schedule, the right age to start, and options for adults.

The medical facts come from the CDC. Local details come from San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) and the clinics' own pages. Where a clinic has not published something, such as whether it stocks the vaccine, we say so and suggest calling.

The basics

What is the HPV vaccine?

It is a vaccine that helps the body build protection against several types of human papillomavirus. The CDC says the vaccine used in the United States protects against the HPV types that cause most HPV-related cancers and most genital warts. It is given as a shot in the upper arm.

What does the HPV vaccine protect against?

According to the CDC, HPV can cause cervical, anal, throat, penile, vaginal and vulvar cancers, as well as genital warts. The vaccine is designed to prevent infection with the types behind most of these problems. It does not protect against every HPV type or against other infections.

Does the vaccine treat an HPV infection someone already has?

No. The CDC describes the vaccine as prevention, not treatment. A clinician can explain what an existing HPV infection or an abnormal screening result means for you.

Is HPV curable?

HPV itself is not curable, but it is manageable. The CDC notes that most HPV infections go away on their own, and clinicians can treat the warts and cell changes that HPV sometimes causes.

Age and schedule

What is the recommended HPV vaccine age?

The CDC recommends routine HPV vaccination at age 11 or 12. It can be started as early as age 9. Getting it before any exposure to HPV gives the best protection, which is why the CDC aims for early adolescence.

What is the HPV vaccine schedule: 2 doses or 3?

The CDC's schedule depends on the age at the first dose. Here is the summary:

Age at first dose	Number of doses (CDC)
9 through 14	2 doses, 6 to 12 months apart
15 or older	3 doses, over about 6 months
Weakened immune system, any age 9 to 26	3 doses

Who needs the 3-dose series?

The CDC says people who start at 15 or older need three doses. People with certain immune conditions also need three doses, no matter their starting age. A clinician can tell you which series fits your situation.

What if a dose is late or missed?

The CDC says you do not need to start over. The series is simply picked up where it stopped. If you are unsure how many doses you have had, a clinic can check your records or your state immunization record and advise you.

Can teens and young adults catch up?

Yes. The CDC recommends catch-up HPV vaccination for everyone through age 26 who was not vaccinated earlier or did not finish the series. This applies to every gender and orientation.

Is the HPV vaccine for adults 27 to 45?

For HPV vaccine for adults in this range, the CDC does not recommend it for everyone. Instead, it recommends shared clinical decision-making. That means you and a clinician talk about your own situation, since most people in this age group have already been exposed to some HPV types and the benefit is smaller.

Is there an upper age limit?

The vaccine is approved by the FDA through age 45, and the CDC does not recommend routine vaccination beyond that. If you are over 45 and curious, a clinician can discuss what is known for your situation.

Can someone get the vaccine during pregnancy?

The CDC says HPV vaccination is not recommended during pregnancy, and the series can be completed after the pregnancy. This does not mean a problem has been found when someone gets a dose by accident. Tell your prenatal clinician, and they can advise you.

Safety and how well it works

What are the common side effects?

The CDC reports that the most common effects are a sore, red or swollen arm, plus mild headache, fever or tiredness. Fainting can happen after any shot in teens and young adults, so the CDC suggests sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes afterward. Serious reactions are rare.

How long does protection last, and is a booster needed?

The CDC says studies have followed vaccinated people for more than a decade and protection has held. No booster dose is recommended at this time.

Does it still help someone who is already sexually active?

It can. The CDC notes that even people who have had HPV can be protected against the other vaccine types they have not been exposed to. A clinician can talk through what that means for you.

Does a vaccinated person still need cervical cancer screening?

Yes. The CDC and USPSTF both recommend regular cervical cancer screening for people with a cervix, whether or not they were vaccinated. The vaccine does not cover every cancer-causing HPV type.

Cost and coverage

Does insurance cover the HPV vaccine?

The CDC says most health plans cover HPV vaccination for the ages where it is routinely recommended. Coverage for adults 27 to 45 can vary because it is a shared decision. Call the number on your insurance card to ask before the visit.

What if a child or teen is uninsured?

The CDC's Vaccines for Children program provides vaccines at no cost for eligible children through age 18, including those who are uninsured or on Medicaid. Participating providers can tell you whether your child qualifies. Metro Health's website is a good starting point for local questions.

Are there lower-cost options in San Antonio?

Two community health centers publish income-based pricing. CommuniCare says it offers a sliding fee discount for self-pay patients with family income under 200% of federal poverty guidelines. CentroMed says its fees scale by income and family size and that it does not deny care for inability to pay. Neither page lists HPV vaccine prices, so ask each clinic whether it stocks the vaccine and what it would cost.

Where to ask in San Antonio

Where can I get the HPV vaccine in San Antonio?

Start with your regular doctor, pediatrician or a community health center, since vaccines are usually given in primary care. Metro Health runs the city's public sexual health services at its STI and HIV page. The Metro Health STI Walk-In Clinic at 512 E. Highland, Suite 150, lists STI and HIV testing, treatment and counseling, not vaccines, so call 210-207-8830 to ask before you go.

Can a minor get the vaccine without a parent?

Texas law lets minors of any age consent to diagnosis and treatment of reportable infections such as chlamydia and HIV, under Texas Family Code Sec. 32.003. That law does not clearly address vaccines, so ask the clinic how consent works for a vaccine. Also know that the same law allows a physician to tell a parent about treatment.

I want to check my sexual health too. Where do I start?

HPV vaccination is one piece of prevention. For people who want testing, our guide to STD testing in San Antonio explains the options, and the local testing list shows free and low-cost clinics. You can also find testing sites by ZIP code at gettested.cdc.gov.

Is there another way to lower HIV risk?

Yes. HPV vaccination does not prevent HIV, which is a separate virus. A clinician can talk with you about PrEP, a medicine prescribed to lower HIV risk, and our page on PrEP in San Antonio explains how to get it and what it may cost.

HPV Vaccine in San Antonio: Ages, Schedule and Where to Get It