Why Is the HPV Vaccine Important?

For the first time ever, a vaccine can help prevent certain types of cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against the virus that causes most types of cervical cancer in women.

This vaccine is a medical breakthrough, first approved in 2006. However, some people are wary of receiving the three-dose HPV vaccination. Why is it not being embraced? What's there to be afraid of?

As it turns out, much of the fear over the HPV vaccine lies with misunderstanding, misperceptions and a lack of awareness. Many people do not understand HPV or realize that it can lead to cervical cancer and other diseases. The importance of the HPV vaccine can only be understood once you realize the danger of the diseases that HPV can cause.

Genital HPV, cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. Many people are exposed to HPV through sexual contact, but they react differently. Some clear the virus with no symptoms and some may develop genital warts, but in others HPV lingers and may contribute to precancerous changes in a woman's cervix, eventually leading to cervical cancer.

Although cervical cancer rates are relatively low in the United States, cervical cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. While there are at least 40 different types of sexually transmitted HPV, just 4 of these types account for most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts. The HPV vaccine protects against these 4 major types of HPV.

The vaccine is given as a series of three injections over a 6-month period. It is approved for girls and women ages 9 to 26, and is recommended for 11- to 12-year-old girls. The HPV vaccine is almost 100 percent effective in preventing the 4 types of HPV covered by the vaccine, as well as the diseases - including genital warts and cervical cancer - that these viruses cause.

Stumbling blocks for parents

If this vaccine is such a breakthrough, why haven't people lined up to get it? Several stumbling blocks exist: convenience, cost, risk and sex. One deterrent for parents about the vaccine may be the age and three-dose schedule. At 11 and 12, most girls do not have as many routine "well child" doctor visits as they did in infancy and early childhood. However, the HPV vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, such as booster shots for tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.

Cost can be a factor because the HPV vaccine costs $120 per dose, or $360 for all three doses. Costs may be higher at individual clinics, due to doctors' fees and office visit charges. Some insurance companies may cover the costs of the vaccine, but other may not. Some states are starting to require the HPV vaccine for girls age 9 and over attending public schools. In those cases, the states must address the funding issues for that vaccine, which means that Medicaid and private insurance plans are encouraged or required to pay for the vaccine. Parents who object to a given vaccination can opt out of these requirements by signing a waiver.

If you or your daughter is uninsured, or if your insurance does not cover the vaccine, certain federal health programs may provide assistance. Many states offer vaccines for free or at a reduced cost at public health departments and clinics to people who qualify.

The HPV vaccine is covered by Vaccines for Children (VFC), a federally funded program that offers free vaccines to many children who are uninsured or underinsured or meet other qualifications. VFC vaccines are provided in many hospitals and public or private clinics throughout the United States. There is no similar vaccine program for adults.

Some parents fear risks associated with the vaccine. A person cannot get HPV from the vaccine because it does not use a live virus. The HPV vaccine has been thoroughly tested in thousands of girls and women. The most common side effect is pain around the injection site.

According to the CDC, the shot is painful in about 8 out of 10 cases. Some cases of fainting have been reported as well. Redness, swelling or itching around the injection site may also occur, and you may experience a mild to moderate fever.

The association of sex with a childhood vaccine may be the biggest problem for some parents. Many people do not like the idea of vaccinating their daughters against a virus that is transmitted through sexual contact. Some have argued that this sends a message to young girls that sex is okay even at a very early age.

The vaccine is currently recommended for young girls because it works best when it is given before the start of any sexual activity. It is much less effective if administered after being infected by the 4 types of HPV that the vaccine covers. Given the fact that HPV is so common, especially among young sexually active people, the early vaccination makes sense. Some parents may be uneasy broaching the subject, either assuming their daughter is not sexually active or not wanting to know if she is.

However, this vaccine should not be seen as a "free ticket" for sexual activity. The vaccine provides no protection against other types of HPV and other sexually transmitted infections. It may provide some protection against other types of cancers other than cervical cancer that are caused by HPV. Women who receive the vaccine still need to practice safe sex and get regular Pap smears to monitor for cervical changes than can lead to cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is one step and can even be the first step into healthy adulthood.