Adults aged ≥26 years are not recommended to receive HPV vaccine, with rare exceptions

Adults aged ≥26 years are not routinely recommended to receive HPV vaccine.

However, some adults may benefit from HPV vaccination. When deciding whether to vaccinate adults, consider:

• the likelihood of previous exposure to HPV
• the future risks of HPV exposure and HPV disease

Note that all men who have sex with men (MSM), including those aged ≥26 years, are recommended to receive HPV vaccination. See MSM of any age are recommended to receive HPV vaccination.

Many adults are likely to have been exposed to 1 or more HPV types contained in the vaccine through sexual activity (see Epidemiology). Vaccination will not clear a past or current infection, but can provide protection against future infections from other types contained in the vaccine. Adults aged ≥26 years who have been diagnosed with or have a history of HPV-related pre-cancerous/cancerous lesions may be considered for vaccination because of their inability to clear and control HPV infection, noting vaccination protects against future infections and does not have therapeutic benefits.

The recommended schedule for adults aged ≥26 years is 3 doses, with an interval of 8 weeks between dose 1 and dose 2, and 16 weeks between dose 2 and dose 3.