Do you know what the HPV vaccine is? If not, then allow me to enlighten you. The HPV vaccine is a potent weapon in the fight against human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus is well-known for causing many types of cancer and other illnesses. That’s why the HPV vaccine has become such a crucial part of public health campaigns worldwide. But what exactly is this vaccine, and how does it work? Read on to learn more about the HPV vaccine and its importance in our fight against HPV.
What is the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine, also known as Gardasil, is a type of vaccine that helps protect against certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus can cause abnormal tissue growth, leading to cancer in the cervix, anus, throat or mouth. The vaccine is typically given to girls and women before they become exposed to the virus, usually around the age of 12 to 13.
Gardasil provides immunity against several strains of HPV that may cause cancer or genital warts. It is typically administered in either a one or two-dose schedule. It is also important to note that Gardasil 9 is the only HPV vaccine currently available in the US, and provides protection against more HPV types compared to earlier versions of the vaccine. The HPV vaccine is a crucial tool in cancer prevention and has been successfully administered to over 100 million people worldwide.
Why is the HPV vaccine an important cancer-prevention tool?
The HPV vaccine has been shown to be a crucial cancer-prevention tool. Each year, HPV is estimated to cause nearly 36,500 cases of cancer in both men and women in the United States alone. The vaccine provides immunity against the virus, protecting against six different types of cancer later in life.
Not only is it highly efficacious in preventing precancerous cervical lesions, it also prevents oropharyngeal cancer, which has surpassed cervical cancer as the most common HPV-related cancer. This vaccine is an extraordinary tool that has the potential to prevent hundreds of thousands of cancers worldwide. In fact, the President’s Cancer Panel implicated the underuse of HPV vaccination as a risk for cancer. By getting vaccinated against HPV, individuals are taking a proactive step towards protecting themselves against these preventable types of cancer.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/vaccine-for-hpv.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/in-depth/hpv-vaccine/art-20047292
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/hpv-vaccine
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hpv/should-i-get-hpv-vaccine
https://www.who.int/news/item/11-04-2022-one-dose-human-papillomavirus-(hpv)-vaccine-offers-solid-protection-against-cervical-cancer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HPV_vaccine
https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/medicines/h/hpv-vaccine/
https://www.paho.org/en/human-papillomavirus-hpv-vaccine
https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/pubinfo/schoolprog/hpv/hpv-human-papillomavirus/about/
https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/vaccine/six-reasons.html
https://www.cancer.org/healthy/hpv-vaccine.html
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/hpv-human-papillomavirus-vaccine/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6746512/
https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/diseases/human-papillomavirus-vaccines-(HPV)
https://prescancerpanel.cancer.gov/report/hpvupdate/pdf/PresCancerPanel_HPVUpdate_Nov2018.pdf
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/How-to-Talk-to-Your-Preteen-About-HPV-Vaccine.aspx
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/hpv-vaccine-information-for-parents-and-caregivers
