HPV Vaccine

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Why Vaccinate Against HPV?

This vaccine against cervical cancer is advised for young females. Most cervical cancer is the result of some strains of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Some of these strains, as well as other less lethal HPV strains, also cause genital warts.

Did you know that each year about 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer? We suffer about 4000 deaths from this cancer per year. Most HPV is benign and transient, and some can be asymptomatic. Usually, infections from HPV will resolve in 2 years. About 5 percent of the HPV infections may that go on to cause cervical dysplasia (pre-cancer), the progression is slow and can be detected by annual pap smears. The recommendation is routine annual Pap smears 3 years after females become sexually active as well as an annual exam to screen for other STDs.

Vaccine info: The American Council on Immunization Practice (ACIP) recommends vaccinating all females ages 11-26 years before they become sexually active, as it is not effective against existing HPV infection. The vaccine is given in 3 doses over a period of 6 months, and the expected cost is $360. The vaccine is effective against viruses that cause 70 percent of the cancers.

CDC Recommends HPV Vaccine

A excerpt from the June 29, 2006 press release at CDC.gov:

CDC’s Advisory Committee Recommends Human Papillomavirus Virus Vaccination Vaccine considered highly effective in preventing infections that are the cause of most cervical cancers.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted Thursday to recommend that a newly licensed vaccine designed to protect against human papillomavirus virus (HPV) be routinely given to girls when they are 11-12 years old. The ACIP recommendation also allows for vaccination of girls beginning at nine years old as well as vaccination of girls and women 13-26 years old. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women. Read More

Visit the CDC's HPV Information Page to learn more about HPV and the newly approved and recommended vaccine.