Facts about HPV Vaccine

Lately we have heard of a lot of confusion and misinformation about the HPV vaccine. Here are some basic information and links to help you make a informative discussion on the vaccine. The AAP made this statement this past week.
 "The American Academy of Pediatrics would like to correct false statements made in the Republican presidential campaign that HPV vaccine is dangerous and can cause mental retardation," the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. "There is absolutely no scientific validity to this statement. Since the vaccine has been introduced, more than 35 million doses have been administered, and it has an excellent safety record."

Please feel free to discuss your concerns with any of our pediatricians and check out the links below for more information

What is HPV?

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. More than half of sexually active men and women are infected with HPV at some time in their lives.
About 20 million Americans are currently infected, and about 6 million more get infected each year. HPV is usually spread through sexual contact. Most HPV infections don’t cause any symptoms, and go away on their own. But HPV can cause cervical cancer in women. Cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women around the world. In the United States, about 10,000 women get cervical cancer every year and about 4,000 are expected to die from it.  HPV is also associated with several less common cancers, such as vaginal and vulvar cancers in women and other types of cancer in both men and women. It can also cause genital warts and warts in the throat. There is no cure for HPV infection, but some of the problems it causes can be treated.

HPV vaccine - Why get vaccinated?

HPV vaccine is important because it can prevent most cases of cervical cancer in females, if it is given before a person is exposed to the virus. Protection from HPV vaccine is expected to be long-lasting. But vaccination is not a substitute for cervical cancer screening. Women should still get regular Pap tests.
The vaccine you are getting is one of two vaccines that can be given to prevent HPV. It may be given to both males and females. In addition to preventing cervical cancer, it can also prevent vaginal and vulvar cancer in females, and genital warts and anal cancer in both males and females.
The other vaccine is given to females only for prevention of cervical cancer.

Who should get this HPV vaccine and when?

• HPV vaccine is recommended for girls 11 or 12 years of age. It may be given to girls starting at age 9. Why is HPV vaccine given to girls at this age? It is important for girls to get HPV vaccine before their first sexual contact – because they won’t have been exposed to human papillomavirus.Once a girl or woman has been infected with the virus, the vaccine might not work as well or might not work at all. The vaccine is also recommended for girls and women 13 through 26 years of age who did not get all 3 doses when they were younger. Males 9 through 26 years of age may get HPV vaccine. As with females, it is best to be vaccinated before the first sexual contact.

HPV vaccine is given as a 3-dose series

• 1st Dose: Now
• 2nd Dose: 1 to 2 months after Dose 1
• 3rd Dose: 6 months after Dose

How can I learn more?

• Ask your doctor. They can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information.
• Call your local or state health department.
• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
• Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
• Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/std/hpv and www.cdc.gov/vaccines

For more information about the HPV vaccine Cervarix, click here
*info from www.healthchildren.org and www.aap.org and www.cdc.gov/vaccine