The Center for Disease Control characterizes human papillomavirus as “the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States.” Many of its strains cause cervical cancers as well as genital warts. As common as the infection is, there is a vaccine that fully protects against it. The HPV vaccine is proven to be very effective in preventing the infection. It uses a noninfectious form of the virus that doesn’t contain DNA. This allows the body to form an immune response against the viral particles before it comes into contact with the real virus. Everyone should protect themselves against the infection, and possibility of cervical cancer, by receiving the HPV vaccine.
It is important to receive this vaccine in order to protect yourself but also to decrease the prevalence of the infection. This provides a type of herd immunity because those that receive the vaccine can’t get the infection and therefore prevent the spread of it. Her immunity protects the immunocompromised population in our country, including the elderly and young children. Another reason you should get the vaccine is it is the best protection against cervical cancer. The incidence of cervical cancer cases in the US have declined due to the vaccinations.
Is it Safe?
Yes!! Human clinical trials were conducted to determine the efficiency of the vaccines and determine their side effects. The clinical trial determined that the only adverse side effects with the HPV vaccine was that of injection site symptoms, headache, and fatigue, none of which affects overall health. The study encourages people receiving the vaccine and deems it safe and effective. The HPV vaccine was referred to as a “high value public health intervention.” Needless to say, the good of the vaccine outweighs the bad and everyone should take a stand and protect themselves against this disease and the cancer implications that could come with it.
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