In the United States, the rates of vaccination for HPV are
currently about 1/3 of females 13 – 17 have completed the vaccination schedule
with another 16% have had at least one of the three doses for the vaccination. With vaccination rates approaching 49%,
infection by the strains included in the vaccine have dropped by 56% in girls
14 – 19 in the four years that the vaccine has been available. With such
results the CDC is asking healthcare professionals to help them reach rates of
80% or greater as quickly as they can.
CDC Director Tom Frieden described the potential of HPV vaccination
in terms of the impact on cancer prevention.
"Our low vaccination rates represent 50,000 preventable
tragedies -- 50,000 girls alive today will develop cervical cancer over their
lifetime that would have been prevented if we reach 80% vaccination rates,”
Frieden said in a statement. “For every year we delay in doing so, another
4,400 girls will develop cervical cancer in their lifetimes."
In contrast to the reports from the US, Japan’s Ministry of
Health, Labor and Welfare on June 14 withdrew its recommendation of the
vaccine. Japan currently covers the cost of the vaccine for anyone that receives
it but the Ministry has concerns of side effects. There are nearly 2000
possible cases of side effects from 3.28 million vaccinations some are severe. Because
of this the Ministry is investigating the vaccine and currently allows the
vaccination to continue while support is withdrawn but has not made a final
decision.
It is great that the vaccination rates are increasing. I was reading a few other articles about the vaccination, and believe that if insurances would cover all of the costs of these vaccinations, possibly the rate would get to 80%. From what I have read, some insurance will not pay for any of the vaccinations.Medicaid-eligible children, along with a few other company's, may receive the vaccinations through a program called "The Vaccines for Children".
ReplyDeleteI also thought the age limit was 13-19 but from the articles I found, as long as you are under 26 years of age, you may get the vaccine. They haven't done testing on older subjects yet.
Brittni Wyatt
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hpv/vac-faqs.htm
I remember getting this vaccine within the first couple months it came out. Having that reassurance that my risk of developing cervical cancer is very slim. I think it is fascinating that a virus can actually cause cancer later on in the future. Although this vaccine can only prevent certain strains of HPV, it is still fantastic that there is at least some preventive measures available.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately in today's society, people are fearful of vaccinations for their children. What I find funny though is that many of these parents that are fearful of vaccinations are the ones that want antibiotics for their kids every time they are sick.
As Brittni mentioned, many insurance companies do not cover these vaccines. Some insurance companies do cover the vaccines because they are considered to be "preventive". Although these vaccines are pretty expensive, and there are three rounds, the investment for this preventive vaccine is still a lot cheaper than what your medical bill will be if you had cervical cancer.
Hopefully, with continued research, there will be more vaccines against cancer causing viruses. I find it very interesting. Although us humans are not immortal, it is still impeccable that research has been able to find such correlations, and maybe eventually these studies can one day have that breakthrough for a cure all cancer drug.
I think it is absolutely amazing how effective this vaccine has been. A drop of 56% is incredible!! I personally think that this vaccine should be a requirement. Smallpox was eradicated in the US thanks to vaccination. If we could prevent cancer with simple shots, why would you know not do it? 33 women a day, around 12,000 a year, are diagnosed with cervical cancer. People have been praying for a cure for cancer since cancer was discovered. Now that we have a preventative measure that can be taken to fight against a type of cancer, people are scared. I think that so many parents of this generation want to give their children a healthy an organic life with no unnecessary vaccinations. They don't understand that they could be endangering their children's lives by not preparing their bodies for a fight against a deadly virus. I personally think that if America would stand together and make this vaccine a necessity and take away the stigma that is associated with vaccines, thousands of women would live a healthy long cancer free life.
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