Story perspectives

CDC Considers Single-Dose HPV Schedule After 97% Protection Study

By Drooid · Sep 26, 2026, 4:21 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. health officials consider cutting the HPV vaccine schedule to a single dose for preteens.
A Costa Rica study of 20,000 girls found one HPV shot gave 97% protection against cervical cancer.
The review found vaccinated males are about 50% less likely to develop head, neck, esophageal, anal or penile cancers.
CDC data shows HPV vaccination rates have stalled at roughly 63% of teens receiving both doses for four years.

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Story summary

U.S. health officials consider cutting the HPV vaccine schedule to a single dose for preteens.
A Costa Rica study of 20,000 girls found one HPV shot gave 97% protection against cervical cancer.
The review found vaccinated males are about 50% less likely to develop head, neck, esophageal, anal or penile cancers.
CDC data shows HPV vaccination rates have stalled at roughly 63% of teens receiving both doses for four years.