The HPV vaccine is a powerful cancer prevention tool, and getting it is an important part of taking charge of your overall health!

Want to know more? This short video from the Mount Sinai Student Ambassadors will take you through the process of getting the HPV vaccination at a school based health center in NYC, and what you should know before getting the shot.

The actors in this video are all part of the Mount Sinai Student Ambassadors at a high school in NYC. The student ambassadors play a huge role in educating other students about important health topics. In this video, the ambassadors teach teens about the HPV vaccine and hope to shed some light on the importance of sexual health.

Here are some things to keep in mind about the HPV vaccine as you watch the video:

  • You can’t get HPV from cuddling with your clothes on—the only kind of cuddling that could spread the virus is naked cuddling.
  • HPV can be spread through genital-to-genital contact, oral sex (going down on, eating out, blow job), anal-to-mouth contact (rimming), penis-in-vagina (PIV) sex, and anal sex.
  • The HPV vaccine is recommended for young people when they’re 11-12 years old.
  • If you’re under 14 years old, you only need two shots to be fully vaccinated. After you turn 14 though, you’ll need three.
  • Since the HPV vaccine is a preventive tool, it’s important to get it before you become sexually active.
  • In the video, we talk about New York parental consent and confidentiality laws. Keep in mind that these laws vary by state. Talk to your health care provider about whether you need parental consent for the HPV vaccine where you live.
  • We encourage every young person interested in getting the HPV vaccine to talk openly with their parents about it—just like Emily did in the video.
  • The HPV vaccine isn’t just for girls. It’s recommended for boys, too!
  • Learn more about HPV here.

If you live in NYC, you can make a confidential appointment at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center to get the HPV vaccine and other comprehensive health care services, at no cost to you. Call (212) 423-3000 to make an appointment.

 

The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center is located in New York City. It provides comprehensive, confidential, judgment free health care at no charge to over 12,000 young people every year. This column is not intended to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual, only general information for education purposes only.