The HPV Vaccine: What's the Big Fuss?

Women's healthcare is an issue that receives all sorts of attention. It is a topic that provokes emotional reaction in people from all spectrums of political view. These days, the debate is over whether girls should be receiving the HPV vaccine. Some are concerned about the vaccine and its implication on early sexual activity. The side effects of the vaccine is another concern though to a much lesser extent. Perhaps what is needed is a well rounded information about the vaccine to educate parents and guardians. Parents need to assess the cost and benefit of this vaccination in order to dispel unreasonable propagandas launched by certain interest groups.

Human papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted disease. This is one of the major reasons the vaccine for HPV is causing so much controversy. Some elements in our society seem to think that if girls receive HPV vaccine they will go haywire and have an orgy all over the nation. No pun intended. On the contrary, the reasons youth have sex has nothing to do with invinciblity. It is more likely to be implosive and the lack of grasp to the consequences of their own action. The vaccine needs to be evaluated from a healthcare perspective. The same way we consider other childhood diseases like meningitis vaccination which affects both sexes.

HPV comes in various strains. According the CDC, more than 30 of the 100 HPV are sexually transmitted. Usually, these viruses come and go without ever causing symptoms. However, there are high risk strains that cause abnormal pap smear and sometime lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, or penis. The CDC estimates about 20 million sexually active men and women are infected with HPV and that by the age 50, 80% of all women would have had genital HPV at some point in their lives. In many cases those carrying this virus will transmit it without ever knowing it. The point here is that even girls who do not engage in sexual activity at an early age are at risk of contracting this disease later on from a partner who might have had sex prior to the relationship. The only way for someone to be protected from HPV is to be celibate for life. In the perfect world, a monogamous relationship with someone who has never been infected would also prevent infection. However, there is no way of knowing if a partner who have had sex prior to a relationship is HPV free because sometimes the virus is undetectable. What's more, we don't live in a perfect world most people will have more than one sexual partner in their life time.

The vaccine covers 4 of the most common strains. It is recommended for girls and women 9 to 26 years old. Why such young age? The CDC says this is because the vaccine is most effective if administered before girls are sexually active and have not yet been exposed to any HPV. The dilemma is whether this will give young girls false security. The thing that is overlooked is that the vaccine doesn't cover all HPV strains. Those who get the vaccine will still need annual pap smear exam. Not to mention the danger of other STDs like HIV that is still a looming threat. The thing is that this vaccine would prevent 2 of the most prevalent strain of HPV that cause 70% of all infections. Experts predict the vaccines could prevent development of up to 70% of cervical cancers. Besides, informing parent and teens about other infections like HIV, for which we have no vaccination, should satisfy those who are afraid that girls will have nothing to fear after having been vaccinated for HPV.

Side effects of the vaccine are minimal according to the CDC. The American Cancer Association confirms that the HPV vaccine has been tested on thousands of people around the world and has been found to be safe and effective. The FDA has reached the same conclusion and has approved it for girls 9 to 26. Now, the challenge is to convince people that this vaccine is not a ticket to sexual promiscuity and that it is safe for their daughters to get.