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In the United States, the two vaccines to check for cancer prevention are the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine. They prevent infections that can cause some cancers; they do not treat an existing infection or cancer. Whether you may need a dose depends on your age, vaccination records, and health circumstances.
Which vaccines help prevent cancer?
The National Cancer Institute identifies HPV and hepatitis B vaccines as the two types of cancer-prevention vaccines approved in the United States. They target different viruses and cancer risks.
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- HPV vaccine: Persistent infection with certain high-risk HPV types can cause cancers of the cervix, anus, oropharynx, penis, vagina, and vulva. The National Cancer Institute estimates that HPV vaccination can prevent up to 90% of cancers caused by HPV infection. That is an estimate, not a guarantee for an individual, and it does not mean the vaccine prevents every cancer.
- HepB vaccine: It prevents hepatitis B virus infection. Chronic hepatitis B can cause serious liver disease, including liver cancer.
Who should check whether they need HPV vaccination?
CDC recommendations depend on whether you completed the series and how old you were when the first dose was given:
- Through age 26: People who were not adequately vaccinated should complete the series under the current schedule.
- Ages 27–45: Vaccination is not routine for everyone in this age group. Talk with a clinician about whether it may benefit you; CDC uses shared clinical decision-making for this age range.
Dose count also depends on age at the first dose and immune status. People who started before age 15 generally need two doses spaced according to the schedule. Those who started at age 15 or older, and people with certain immunocompromising conditions, need three doses. Have a clinician check the dates and apply the current schedule rather than deciding from dose count alone.
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Who should check whether they need HepB vaccination?
CDC guidance recommends HepB vaccination for adults ages 19–59. For adults 60 and older, the recommendation depends on risk and preference: those with known risk factors should receive a series; those without known risk factors may receive one; and an adult in this age group who requests vaccination should receive a series. The appropriate product and series can vary, so ask a healthcare professional to apply the current schedule to your situation.
How to check your vaccination records
- Note the details that affect recommendations. For HPV, write down your current age, age at the first dose, number of doses, and whether a clinician has identified an immunocompromising condition. For HepB, note your age, any prior doses, and relevant risk factors or medical conditions. Do not try to diagnose a risk condition yourself.
- Gather any records you can find. Check a vaccine card, pediatric or primary-care records, pharmacy records, and your local immunization information system or registry, if available. If your history is unclear, tell your clinician rather than assuming you received no doses. A paper immunization record book can help organize dates, but it does not establish eligibility.
- Compare your history with the current schedule. Use the CDC adult immunization schedule and its notes for adults. Children and teens should be checked against the current child and adolescent schedule. The adult schedule organizes recommendations by age and by medical condition or indication, and includes dosing and special-situation guidance.
- Ask a clinician or pharmacist to reconcile missing or uncertain doses. Bring the records and dates you have. Ask whether the series is complete, whether any dose is due, and whether a health condition or pregnancy affects timing. Do not restart a series or choose a product based only on a general article.
What vaccination does—and does not—do
HPV vaccination prevents infection with the HPV types targeted by the vaccine; it does not clear an infection already present or treat disease. Because the vaccines do not cover every cancer-causing HPV type, people with a cervix still need to follow cervical screening recommendations and obtain follow-up for abnormal results. HepB vaccination prevents hepatitis B infection; it is not treatment for an existing infection.
This guidance is specific to the United States. Recommendations can differ elsewhere, and health history, immune status, pregnancy, prior doses, and contraindications may affect timing or choice. CDC and National Cancer Institute information cited here was accessed October 4, 2026; consult the live CDC schedule and a healthcare professional for a current recommendation.
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