If a patient has been sexually active for a number of years, is it still recommended to give HPV vaccine or to complete the HPV vaccine series?

Yes. HPV vaccine should be administered to people who are already sexually active if age appropriate. Routine catch-up vaccination of any person not vaccinated on schedule as a preteen is recommended through age 26 years, and vaccination may be considered with shared clinical decision-making between ages 27 and 45. Ideally, patients should be vaccinated before the onset of sexual activity; however, people who have already been infected with one or more HPV types will still be protected from other HPV types in the vaccine that have not been acquired.