The HPV vaccine – what you need to know and why we should be dancing in the streets
The human papilloma virus, or HPV, is the name given to a group of sexually transmitted viruses. HPV is ridiculously common. The CDC estimates that at least 50% of sexually active men and women will be exposed to HPV in their lifetimes. Pretty much, if you’ve had sex, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve been exposed to HPV. Most people won’t even know they’ve been infected – they won’t have symptoms and their bodies will clear the infection on their own, without treatment. Some types of HPV lead to genital warts. Other high risk types of HPV may lead to cervical cancer. Routine pap smears will detect abnormalities in the cervix which may be caused by HPV and new tests can determine the HPV type related to abnormalities discovered by a pap smear. This can help catch high risk HPV infections sooner, thus improving the health outcomes for infected women.
In June, the Food and Drug Administration announced their approval of Gardasil, a vaccine developed by Merck that is nearly 100% effective at preventing the most common types of HPV, including the types that lead to cervical cancer, precancerous genital lesions and genital warts. The vaccine is a series of three shots and is approved for use in females 9-26 years of age. The vaccine is most effective when given to girls before they start having sex. Studies are currently in the works to examine the effect of the vaccine on boys after which, perhaps as early as 2008, recommendations for the use of the vaccine for boys may be added.
There were murmurings of protest from folks who worried that a vaccine against a sexually transmitted disease would give a green light to young teens to have lots of unprotected sex. These claims were shot down in studies that indicated that 1) STDs are usually not a consideration for teens when deciding whether or not to have sex; and 2) that the availability of a vaccine for HPV would have no significant impact on teens' decisions about sexual behaviors.
Last week, the HPV vaccine crossed another critical hurdle. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), whose recommendations are usually accepted by federal health officials, and influence insurance coverage for vaccinations, recommended that 11- and 12-year-old girls be routinely vaccinated against HPV. The ACIP also said the shots could be started for girls as young as 9, at the discretion of their doctors.
This means that a new generation of young people will soon be receiving what could be a lifesaving vaccine. Cervical cancer rates are expected to drop dramatically as more young girls receive the protective series of shots. This is big, big news! Unfortunately, it appears to be big, quiet news as most people are not only unaware of the availability of the vaccine, but are completely unfamiliar with HPV, itself. So spread the word! And for parents of girls, talk with your doctor so that you can make informed choices about your daughter's health.
Posted by Jenn on July 6, 2006 11:09 AM
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