Practical implementation of HPV vaccines in clinical practice.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) currently infects approximately 20 million people in the United States. An effective new vaccine has been approved for girls and young women aged 9 to 26 years that can decrease the spread of infection due to HPV and the future incidence of cervical cancer and genital warts. Family physicians should be aware of parental or patient attitudes and knowledge about HPV and concerns about HPV vaccination if they are to successfully implement HPV vaccination in their practices.