Blog #3 Debate on HPV vaccination

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexual transmitted disease that causes cervical cancer. It is also the second leading cause of female cancer mortality worldwide. To prevent the human papillomavirus two different shots are offered and they must be taken in three different doses over a six month time lapse. Those shots are Gardasil and Cervarix. Since 2006, 19 state legislatures have attempted to pass legislation that would mandate HPV shots for school. For years schools offered the HPV vaccination, but parents have the ability to allow their child to opt out. Parents usually opt out of letting their child receive the vaccination because of the ongoing debate on whether childhood vaccinations were linked to autism or other diseases. Most people feel the vaccination is unsafe not based on facts, but based on personal views and opinions. During a debate on HPV Rep. Michele Bachmann said parents told her that the vaccine had made their children sick. This is a personal view, there possibly could have been other factors that made their children sick not just the HPV vaccine alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also spoke on the issue of the HPV vaccine, “studies of the vaccine showed no serious side effects, but common, mild side effects included pain where the shot was given, fever, headache, and nausea.”

The HPV vaccination is a great way to prevent cervical cancer in both females and males. Most females receive the vaccination when they are in their upper teens. Since the vaccination is being offered in schools to middle school aged children, parents should allow their child to get the vaccine. The vaccine is safe, because the CDC provide reliable information ensuring that. I have received the HPV vaccine myself and I didn’t experience any side effects. This is a great step in the reduction of cervical cancer. Even though people fail to realize that now, maybe they will in the near future.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/14/the-five-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-hpv-debate/?hpt=he_c2