Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine

Dear Doctors:  I've heard a lot of conflicting opinion about the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine. Can you tell me more about this controversial vaccination?

Dr. Wesley Grootwassink: The controversy occurred when the manufacturers tried to increase access by making it a mandatory vaccine. The vaccine is directed at four strains of the Human Papilloma Virus of the 31 that affect the genital track. It will protect you from 70% of your risk of cervical cancer and  offer 90% protection from genital warts. Ideally, for immune response, you want it before age nine. But they tested it up to age 26, so the earlier you get it, the better your immune response is going to be.

Dr. Shannon Klingman:  I think for a lot of people, they think that educating is suggesting. So if you're educating girls and young women about this, then you're suggesting then that it's safe to have promiscuous sex and that they're protected. Like that's the only hurdle that's holding them back.

WG:  The people that really get the vaccine are the daughters of women who have had pad smear problems. Someone who's had to come in numerous times because their pap smear is abnormal or they've had procedures on their cervix for dysplasia, which is a pre-cancerous lesion of the cervix-they're daughters are the first in line to get this vaccine. They don't want their girls to have to deal with this, including the potential risks to child bearing. It's been a very well received vaccine. If people read about it and actually understand its value, most parents want their children to have it. I think it's a great vaccine. I would give it to my daughters.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine

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