We Can All Do Something to Increase HPV Vaccination Rates

The HPV vaccine prevents six types of cancer.

By Pamela Tom | HPVANDME Founder

These days, it seems that every week or month is designated as some kind of “awareness week.” Some make the headlines; others remain relatively obscure. It’s one thing to hear about an awareness week, and quite another to take a moment to participate—and make a difference. 

This year, California HPV Vaccine Week is August 1-7, 2022.
It’s all about increasing HPV vaccination rates. 

Please join HPVANDME and help prevent HPV cancers in future generations. 

Know the facts. Learn about CA HPV Vaccine Week. Do something. 

Boys need the HPV vaccine

HPV Facts

  1. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US.
  2. HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer is now the #1 HPV cancer in the US. 
  3. The HPV vaccine is safe and helps prevent six HPV cancers: oropharyngeal or throat; cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, and vulvar.
  4. The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for boys and girls at age 11-12, and as early as age 9.
  5. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to reduced HPV vaccination rates nationwide.


What is California HPV Vaccine Week? 

The California HPV Vaccination Roundtable launched the first annual CA HPV Vaccine Week in 2019. The roundtable is a coalition of organizations committed to raising awareness about the importance of HPV vaccination as cancer prevention. Its mission is to prevent HPV-associated cancer and pre-cancers by increasing HPV vaccination rates in the state to 80 percent by 2026. 

CA HPV Vaccine Week is the brainchild of the roundtable’s “Increasing Parent and Community Knowledge” workgroup. The idea: promote an awareness week during the back-to-school season when children will be receiving their other school vaccinations. Every year, the workgroup members promote CA HPV Vaccine Week with their organizations’ audiences; however, we are often preaching to the choir. 

The challenge is trying to reach new ears, specifically those of adolescents and parents. 

That’s how you can help.


How You Can Help

  1. Use the CA HPV Vaccine Week social media toolkit and post every day during the week on your personal Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter channels. Let people know that the HPV vaccine helps prevent six HPV cancers.  
  2. Share the information and toolkit with your community. This includes friends, family, teachers, and leaders in your neighborhood—including your child’s pediatrician.
  3. Tag #hpvandme in your social media posts and we will share your message!
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  4. Bonus points: Continue spreading the word all year long, even after CA HPV Vaccine Week is over.

Every action helps. Every vaccine shot counts. 

Every child vaccinated today will be safer from HPV cancers tomorrow.