The HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) Vaccine protects against a range of cancers, including cervical cancer, cancer of the penis, and head and neck cancer. It's normally given to teens and pre-teens.
There’s no evidence the vaccine protects anyone after they have been infected with HPV, which is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection.
That’s why the vaccine is normally given to kids aged 11 and up and to adults in their early 20s. The multiple doses must be finished before people start any kind of sexual activity.
The FDA said studies showed that even vaccinating people over 25 could prevent many cases of cancer.
“In a study in approximately 3,200 women 27 through 45 years of age, followed for an average of 3.5 years, Gardasil was 88 percent effective in the prevention of … persistent infection, genital warts, vulvar and vaginal precancerous lesions, cervical precancerous lesions, and cervical cancer related to HPV types covered by the vaccine,” the FDA said.
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https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-approves-hpv-vaccine-adults-over-25-n917276