More teens getting vaccinated against HPV

In recognition of International Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Awareness Day (March 4), New Hampshire has announced a steady increase of teens getting vaccinated against HPV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics.

For 2018, the CDC reported that about three out of four New Hampshire teens had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine.

Unfortunately, though, about one in three teens have not finished the vaccine series.

“In honor of International HPV Awareness Day, we are spreading the word about two important steps to take to help prevent cancer: Getting vaccinated against HPV and staying up-to-date with cervical cancer screenings,” said Jenna Schiffelbein, MPH, director of community education and prevention, Dartmouth and Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Norris Cotton Cancer Center.

The HPV vaccine, also known as Gardasil 9, protects against six types of cancer, including cervical and mouth/throat cancer.

The CDC recommends all children get two doses of the HPV vaccine at ages 11-12, and children can start the vaccine series as young as age 9.

While the HPV vaccine was initially intended just for girls, boys need to get the vaccine too, as males make up 40 percent of individuals with HPV. According to America’s Health Rankings, about 13,100 cases of HPV-associated cancer could be prevented annually among males by getting vaccinated. 

The CDC has also reported that the HPV vaccine can prevent 90 percent of cancer cases caused by HPV.

According to a study from the National Cancer Institute, parents said the most compelling reason to get their children vaccinated was to prevent cancer.

“The NHSNA (New Hampshire School Nurses’ Association) encourages parents and guardians to vaccinate their children in order to provide protection from HPV-related infections and cancers. There is a safe and effective HPV vaccine, Gardasil 9. The CDC recommends all children get vaccinated at ages 11- 12,” said NHSNA Board of Directors member Harriet Davenport.

The N.H. Immunization Coalition is a group comprised of various professionals and advocates, including those from the N.H. School Nurses’ Association, the N.H. Medical Society, and the Live HPV Cancer-Free coalition. The group is focused on increasing awareness of the benefits of various vaccines, including the HPV vaccine.

“As a parent and a physician, I know how important it is to counsel our adolescents about healthy living choices and the dangers of smoking. Hopefully, my words stick with them, but ultimately, I just have to trust they will make good choices,” said Dr. Angela Shepard, chair of the Education Council for the NH Medical Society. “With vaccinations, we can give them more than just advice. This simple intervention given while they are still minors carries protection long after they grow up.”

If you would like to learn more about how to prevent cancer or want to learn more about the benefits of vaccines, go to cdc.gov or contact your health-care provider.