St. Jude Research

A Future Free of HPV Cancers

HPV VACCINE PLANNING

RURAL COMMUNITIES

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Rural HPV Cancer Prevention & Vaccination

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Not about HPV cancers.

Join rural families across America protecting their children from HPV cancers with one simple decision.

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HPV Vaccination Prevents Cancer

Rural Communities Face Higher Risk

Rural areas face 15% higher cervical cancer rates in women and 9% higher oral cancer rates in men compared to urban areas.

10%+ Rural Vaccination Gap

Rural HPV vaccination lags urban areas by 10%+ nationally. Some rural counties report only 22% of teens complete the vaccine series.

Health Care Access Drives Disparities

Limited access to preventive care, fewer provider recommendations, and lower HPV awareness create unique challenges for rural families seeking vaccination.

90% of HPV Cancers Preventable

HPV causes more than 40,000 U.S. cancers annually. Vaccination prevents 90% of these cases, potentially saving thousands of lives in rural communities.

Partnerships Boost Vaccination 31%

Our HPV program partners with local communities to improve access, education, and vaccination rates—achieving 31% increases in rural areas.

Rural Cancer Rates Rising

Rural and urban HPV cancer rates were similar in 2000-2004. Now rural rates are higher and climbing without intervention.

RURAL REALITIES

Clearing the Air About HPV Vaccination

  1. Myth One

    Myth

    The HPV vaccine is new and untested with dangerous side effects.

    Truth

    Rural communities face a troubling paradox: higher HPV cancer rates, yet lower vaccination rates than urban areas. HPV vaccination is cancer prevention—rural communities deserve equal access to this life-saving protection.

  2. Myth Two

    Myth

    This is just a big-city concern – rural areas don't need to worry as much.

    Truth

    Rural communities face higher rates of HPV cancers and lower rates of HPV vaccination compared to urban settings. HPV vaccination is cancer prevention for rural communities too.

  3. Myth Three

    Myth

    It's inappropriate to vaccinate children for something sexually transmitted.

    Truth

    The HPV vaccine prevents cancer. Our HPV programs focus on cancer prevention messaging, which resonates better with parents' desire to protect their children's future health from preventable cancers.

  4. Myth Four

    Myth

    Our community has different values – outsiders don't understand our concerns.

    Truth

    The most successful rural cancer prevention efforts are community-driven partnerships with local schools, churches, and health care providers who understand local values while supporting HPV vaccination programs.

DOWNLOAD HPV FAQ

Stop Cancer Before It Starts

Prevents Six Cancers

HPV vaccination prevents infection with the types of HPV that cause oral or throat, cervical, anal, vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancers.

Best Protection at Ages 9-12

On-time vaccination produces strongest immunity with fewer doses, maximizing lifelong protection against cancer-causing HPV types.

Safeguards Future Fertility

Prevention of HPV diseases preserves the choice to have children that cancer treatments like a hysterectomy or radiation might compromise.

Guards Against Deadliest Types

HPV vaccination protects against the most common high-risk types of HPV causing 90% of HPV cancers.

Fewer Invasive Procedures

Vaccination reduces abnormal tests and precancerous lesions, decreasing need for stressful follow-ups difficult to access rurally.

Face HPV Together

Families across rural America are choosing HPV vaccination to protect their children's futures. These stories from the "Wide Open Spaces" article series, featured in the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital HPV Cancer Prevention Program's monthly newsletter, showcase a community taking cancer prevention into their own hands—read their stories and join them. 

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Two Shots Today Prevent
Six Cancers Tomorrow

Vaccination at ages 9-12 provides protection against 90% of HPV cancers and requires only two doses. Waiting until age 15+ increases cancer risk and requires three doses instead of two.

Stop HPV Cancer Before It Starts
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5 Things to Know about HPV Vaccination

5 Things to Know about HPV Vaccination

1 HPV vaccination is cancer prevention. It prevents six types of cancer affecting everyone.

2 It provides protection against 90% of HPV cancers.

3 Since it was first available in the United States 16 years ago, it's been shown to be a very safe tool to prevent six types of HPV cancers.

4 HPV vaccination is recommended for everyone age 9 to 26 and for some people age 27 to 45. The primary target group for HPV vaccination is age 9 to 12. For those in the older age group, talk to a health care provider to see if HPV vaccination is right for you.

5 Recently in the United States, oral cancer cases caused by HPV among men surpassed cervical cancer cases caused by HPV among women to become the most common HPV cancer. So, HPV vaccination is for everyone.

Schedule an HPV Vaccination Reminder 

Make sure you’re keeping your child on schedule for HPV vaccination. Schedule a reminder for their next vaccination appointment.
Rural Realities

HPV Vaccination FAQs

  1. Will my health-insurance plan cover the HPV vaccine?

    Yes, most health insurance plans, both public and private, cover the HPV vaccine. For insured individuals, the HPV vaccine is often free or at a very low cost.

  2. What if I don’t have insurance or can’t afford the vaccine?

    HPV  vaccination is covered by almost every health insurance plan in the United States for those ages 9-26 and should be given at no cost for most patients. If you're uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to get the vaccine through federally funded health programs, like the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which provides coverage at no cost for those who qualify. Talk to your health care provider to learn about your coverage and costs.

  3. Where can we get the HPV vaccine in our rural community?

    In rural communities, HPV vaccination is available at several locations. HPV vaccines may be given at health care provider offices, community health clinics, school-based health facilities, local health departments, or other locations. HPV vaccination also may be available from community pharmacies, school-based clinics, mobile clinics, and some dental practices.

  4. What if we can’t complete all HPV vaccine doses because of transportation issues?

    If you cannot complete all doses of the HPV vaccine series according to the recommended schedule, you generally do not need to restart the entire series. You can pick up where you left off and get the remaining doses to complete the series for full protection.

  5. How much does the HPV vaccine cost if I have to pay out of pocket?

    The HPV vaccine, Gardasil 9, can cost around $250-300 per dose without insurance. However, many health insurance plans cover the vaccine, especially for those under 18, and there are programs like the Vaccines for Children (VFC) that provide free vaccines to uninsured or underinsured children. For those over 19, insurance coverage may depend on age and individual plans.

  6. How is St. Jude working specifically with rural communities on HPV prevention?

    St. Jude recognizes the importance of working with rural communities and partners that serve them to prevent HPV cancers. We focus on priority areas of action to improve HPV vaccination and prevent HPV cancers.

Get HPV Vaccination Reminders 

Don’t let your child’s window for on-time vaccination slip by. Schedule a reminder in your calendar, and make sure your child is protected.

Are You a Health Care Provider?

Show your support for HPV vaccination and help protect your patients and community from HPV cancers.

Visit our health care provider page