Tess Ierardi
Carol LeBlanc
Environmental Issues
October 1, 2017
New Approach to Promoting HPV Vaccinations
Betsy McKay
October 18, 2016
Health and Wellness, The Wall Street Journal
Health experts have developed improved strategies meant to encourage younger generations in getting their vaccination for HPV. HPV, a sexually transmitted disease, can lead to six different types of cancer if contracted. The best time for vaccination is around the age of 12. However, even though it is just a simple shot, most young adults and teens do not even bother with getting their vaccination. In fact, the HPV vaccination rate is far below the inoculation rate for any other disease. The vaccine consists of three shots that are received over a time frame of six months, although scientists are looking to shorten it to two vaccines in the hopes that more individuals will consider getting it.
This 2 dose schedule will make it a lot easier for children in busy families who do not have a ton of time to go back and forth to the doctors office. Scientists are also advertising that when you receive the vaccine at a younger age, as an older teen, you would have a stronger immune system. The CDC is getting involved by stressing how crucial it is for men and women to be protected against these transmitted diseases. Although, it has risen to the surface that one of the main reasons more people are not getting their HPV shot is due to the uncomfortability of discussing sexually transmitted illnesses. Doctors are getting increasingly worried though because studies have shown that only 42% of girls and 28% of boys have received the full vaccine in the US.
HPV is a very common virus. In fact, more than 14 million people contract the illness each year, a quarter of that number comes from the United States. In order to spread the word, “brochures are mailed to families, a video to watch on an iPad while waiting for the doctor, as well as reminders for follow up appointments,” have all helped. The campaign to raise interest in getting the HPV vaccine has boosted the immunization rate at the University of pediatrics, a vanderbilt clinic, a well as make physicians more aware of recommending the shot to preteens.
These findings affect me in the future because there is the potential of this disease becoming a major issue. People need to receive their vaccinations for HPV in order to protect themselves as well as protect others. This article shows me just how even the things that are often overlooked can have an impact on millions of people.
