Giving 'tweens and teens the human papillomavirus vaccine called Gardisil® before they are sexually active and exposed to HPV can cut the risk of cervical cancer by 70 percent, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. With all of the media attention surrounding the vaccine, it is natural for parents to have many questions. Some of the most common questions include:
Which age group is recommended for the vaccine?
Girls and women age 13 to 25 who are not sexually active are encouraged to receive Gardisil®, which is given in a series of three injections over a six-month period.
Why is the vaccine recommended for 'tweens and teens?
The vaccine is most effective in girls who are not sexually active and have not acquired one of the 40 types of the HPV virus that are high-risk and associated with cervical cancer, as well as pharyngeal, or throat cancer. Gardisil® specifically targets these two types of cancers and two types of genital warts.
Why can’t boys receive the vaccine?
The vaccine has only been FDA approved for girls at this time. Currently, studies are being done to look at the effectiveness of the vaccine in males as well. If approved for use in males, it will have the benefit of preventing some types of throat cancer and decreasing the spread of genital warts to females.
Are there any side affects from receiving the vaccine?
There may be minor side affects from the vaccine such as local irritation, pain or fainting. Patients are monitored after the vaccine is injected to watch for fainting.
Gardisil® has been tested for five years. Because it has a lasting immunity, a booster shot is not recommended for children receiving the vaccine.
FAST FACT: The HPV vaccine is the first vaccine that specifically targets cancer.
Sarah J. Lerand, MD, MPH, is a physician in the Adolescent Health and Medicine Program at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. The program sees 'tweens and teens for issues related to nutrition, general physical development, concerns related to puberty, assessment for eating disorders, stress and anxiety, depression and developmental and transitional periods complicated by chronic illness, developmental or learning disorders.
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