Vaccinating for human papillomavirus (HPV) can prevent cancer and save lives. Director for the Cancer Control Program at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center –  James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute Electra Paskett, PhD, explains how new national guidelines should help get vaccination rates where they need to be — to at least 80 percent, up from the 50 percent of girls and only 30 percent of boys who are currently vaccinated. The vaccines can actually prevent up to six different kinds of cancers, and the OSUCCC – James has united with each of the 69 NCI-designated cancer centers to support revised recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although HPV vaccines can prevent cervical, anal, oropharyngeal (middle throat) and other genital cancers, vaccination rates remain low. The new CDC guidelines recommend that children under age 15 should receive two doses (rather than the previously recommended three-dose series) of the 9-valent HPV vaccine at least six months apart. Adolescents and young adults ages 15-26 should continue to complete the three-dose series.