The federal advisory committee said that boys and young men should be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) to protect against anal and throat cancers. Once the committee recommends the vaccine for routine use insurers will pay for them. It is a very expensive vaccine. The committee recommends boys to get the vaccination at ages 11 and 12 but if they have not been vaccinated to get it through age 21. The youngest age that a boy may get the vaccine is 9 and the oldest is 26. When the vaccine was recommended for girls in 2006 there was controversy about it because it prevents disease that come from sexual activity. Now others are saying that its great effects at preventing cancer are outweighing any negative thoughts anybody else has towards it.
Extending the vaccine for males is a great way to help younger generation prevent cancer and other diseases caused by sexual activity. The problem is its availability. Will this same vaccine be available for low income children around the world? What if children don’t have insurance or their insurance doesn’t pay for it? Lowering the price of the vaccine so that it will be affordable and available to nearly everyone could benefit the economy over time because there will be less money spent in cancer research and treatment. The prevention of these cancers and diseases will more than likely lead to fewer deaths. Fewer deaths will leave more healthy people alive to help their country flourish. The HPV vaccine could be another way to help improve the health of underdeveloped countries.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/26/health/policy/26vaccine.html?_r=1&ref=health
No comments:
Post a Comment