HPV Vaccine: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Introduction

The HPV Vaccine is controversial. It’s been called a miracle drug, a lifesaver, and even the next vaccine that should be required for all kids. Yet it also has some detractors who claim it doesn’t work or may even cause cancer. So what’s the truth about this drug? If you’re interested in getting vaccinated or just want to stay up-to-date on recent developments in medicine, here are some of the facts about the HPV Vaccine:

The HPV Vaccine can prevent cervical cancer

The HPV Vaccine can prevent cervical cancer.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. It can cause genital warts, but it’s most dangerous when it infects the cervix and causes cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is our best defense against this deadly disease, and studies show that it’s highly effective at protecting people from getting infected with the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and recommended for both girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 26:

  • Safe—There are no serious side effects to getting vaccinated with Gardasil or Gardasil 9 (the two types of vaccines used in the U.S.). Some people may have mild reactions like swelling at injection site lasting up to 2 days.* Effective—Gardasil prevents about 90% of infections from certain cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

The HPV Vaccine can actually be more effective than the flu vaccine

You may be wondering how effective the HPV Vaccine is compared to other vaccines. The answer: it’s more effective than the flu vaccine, but less effective than some others.

The flu vaccine has been shown to provide protection in around 50% of people who receive it. While this can vary slightly depending on the type of flu being vaccinated against, estimates suggest that it’s closer to 40-50% effectiveness overall. In comparison, studies have shown that around 90% of people who receive an HPV vaccination will develop antibodies against certain strains within 6 months after getting their first dose

There is not a huge need for the vaccine, therefore there is little incentive to create it

There is a need for the flu vaccine, but not so much for the HPV vaccine. This means that there isn’t as much incentive to create it.

The flu vaccine is more effective than the HPV vaccine, which means that there is more of a need for it. There are many ways to get vaccinated against the flu and they are readily available and popular. You only have to get it once every few years and you can do this at any time during flu season (except when you have symptoms). The benefits of getting vaccinated far outweigh any disadvantages, so most people don’t mind getting it regularly because they know how important it is to keep their health in check throughout life.

The HPV Vaccine can save your life

In the United States, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 79 million Americans are currently infected with some form of HPV. The CDC also reports that each year, more than 500,000 people are diagnosed with genital warts as a result of HPV and 14,000 women die from cervical cancer caused by HPV.

In addition to potentially causing cancer in men and women, there is evidence that over 50 percent of all head/neck cancers can be attributed to oral sex with an affected partner.

One study found that among young adults who had ever been sexually active (had vaginal intercourse), 43 percent had engaged in oral sex within the past year; however only 16 percent had used condoms during their last sexual encounter and only 5 percent reported having received formal instruction on how to perform safe oral sex on an uninfected partner.

Conclusion

HPV is a virus that can lead to cervical cancer, which is one of the leading causes of death for women in the United States. The best way to prevent this from happening is by getting vaccinated against it at an early age. There are many reasons why parents are hesitant about doing so, but it’s important to understand why this vaccine could save your life.