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HPV VACCINE

HPV VACCINE

Concerned parents ask me daily about the safety, effectiveness and benefits of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. So, here is some information to clear out your doubts to help you make best decision for your child.


Q: What is HPV?
HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (STD). HPV affects both women and men. It causes cervical cancer, most neck and throat cancers, several other rare cancers, and even precancerous genital warts.

Q: Why do you recommend the HPV vaccine?
It is vaccine to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts. Prevention is always better than cure, because it can save lives. The numbers of people affected with HPV could potentially be a lot lower if every child got vaccinated against HPV at a correct age. Results from a 2018 Cochrane research study prove the vaccine is very successful in preventing HPV. In fact, HPV rates among teenage girls have declined since the vaccine came out. Plus, the side effects are minimal to none.

Q: I’ve heard of a lot of negative side effects of the HPV vaccine. What are they?
The HPV vaccine doesn’t have many side effects. The most common are warmth, swelling and some soreness at the injection spot. But this can happen with any kind of shot.

Q: Does the vaccine prevent all types of HPV?
There are more than 150 types of HPV that we know of. Not all of them are harmful. The vaccine that’s currently available protects against the nine types that most commonly cause cancer and genital warts – types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. Types 16 and 18 make up about 70 percent of all cases of cervical cancer worldwide. Currently available vaccine is Cervarix and Gardasil.

Q: Why do boys need the HPV vaccine?
HPV is actually far more common in men than in women, according to a 2017 CDC report. The HPV vaccine helps prevent future infection that can lead to certain types of cancers in men.

Q: The vaccine is given at such a young age, usually between 11-12 years old and in some cases as young as 9. Why so young?
The vaccine is most effective when given at younger ages, when it can be done in just two doses. (The second dose is given six months after the first shot.) . It’s best to give the HPV vaccine before children start engaging in sexual activity. Ideal age recommended is 9-11years age. It gives protection for 10 years.

Q: Is the vaccine effective if you are already sexually active ?
Yes, you may be infected by a different strain if sexually active . The vaccine overall protects you from various strains and is highly recommended even if you are sexually active and late in taking the dose.

Q: Is cervical cancer screening (PAP TEST) still needed after HPV dose is completely taken ?
Yes, Pap test is to be conducted as advised and scheduled

Q: How do I explain to my child what the vaccine is for?
It depends on their maturity level and what they’ll understand. I think the easiest, most straightforward thing to say is that the vaccine will protect them from certain types of cancer and other diseases when they’re older.

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