First thing’s first—What’s HPV? HPV stands for human papillomavirus and includes over 150 related viruses under its name. Types of HPV can lead to genital warts and even cancer. It can be sexually transmitted, and is super common—according to the CDC, most sexually active people will get it at some point! In women, the main concern is developing cervical cancer as a result of HPV. But hey, now there’s a vaccine for that!
Nearly 10 years ago, a vaccine was introduced that can protect young women from HPV. According to The New York Times, federal researchers report that the existence of HPV in teenage girls has already gone down by two-thirds. However, even though the vaccine has been proven successful, the rates of immunization still remain low in the United States. In many countries, the vaccine is either mandatory or available at schools for no cost. In countries where this method is implemented, such as Australia, there has already been a 92 percent reduction in genital warts in women under the age of 21. Additionally, according to USA Today, researchers believe that women should be seeing fewer cases of cervical, throat, anal and vaginal cancers in the decades to come.
With such beneficial results, and optimistic predictions for the future, why are people still hesitant to get the vaccine? For the same reason they usually are—People are worried about the negative side-effects that can arise from the vaccination (but probably won’t). One major deterrent is the perception of how HPV is contracted. Considering that the virus is spread through sexual contact, many parents are reluctant to allow their young daughters to receive the vaccination, because they think it’s somehow encouraging their daughter to be sexually active. Physicians are encouraged to recommend the vaccine with other mandatory preteen vaccines, according to the Times.
Ladies, the results are in: This vaccine works. Keep yourself safe and get it!