The HPV vaccine is designed to be given to girls above the age of 9 so they have natural antibodies against this commonly transmitted virus. Boys are eligible to get the vaccine as well, but HPV does much more damage in women than in men. It is known to be a cause of cervical cancer and it may be a strong contributor to other cancers and diseases as well. There are some advantages in giving girls this vaccine, but there are some disadvantages to consider as well.
What Are the Pros of the HPV Vaccine?
It helps the body fight off a viral infection naturally.
As with any other vaccine, the goal is to trigger the body’s immune response to HPV so that it can more easily fight off an infection that may occur in the future. It is most effective when it is given to those who have never been sexually active, which is why younger children are often the primary recipients of this vaccine.
Repeated studies have shown that is is a safe treatment.
Although any medical procedure, including a vaccine, entails a certain amount of risk, those risks with the HPV vaccine are rather low. The most common side effect that is reported after receiving the vaccine is a headache or dizziness. In the eyes of many providers, this means any serious risks are overshadowed by the benefits of the vaccine.
It can provide a lifetime of protection.
HPV is one of the most commonly traded STIs in the world today and it’s been that way for decades. By receiving the vaccination series, girls are able to be sexually active without worrying about a virus that could cause them to develop cancer over the course of the infection.
What Are the Cons of the HPV Vaccine?
Some of the studies on it have been flawed.
In one particular study on the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, it was determined that only 1 in 7 girls had actually received at least one shot of the vaccine. Half of the girls in the study weren’t even sexually active. That means the touted results of the survey are inaccurate because the wrong population groups were studied.
There are some rare, but serious side effects.
There are cases where girls given the HPV vaccine have died shortly thereafter. Their autopsies showed that there were DNA fragments from HPV in their system that could have played a contributing role in the incident. If parents have a choice to eliminate all risk or just take on a rare risk, many parents will choose the former. This may be a contributing factor to the low overall coverage rates.
It may not even be needed.
Many human immune systems have the ability to eradicate HPV if given enough time. This means that the vaccine may not even be necessary to provide reductions in cervical cancer rates and other potential health issues that this virus can cause.
Some girls are getting the HPV vaccine because their parents want to make sure their child stays healthy. Others question the documented health issues and determine that a rare side effect is still not worth the risk. Unlike other vaccines, the HPV vaccine is more of an optional shot to get. By weighing the pros and cons of this vaccine, each parent and each child can determine if it is right for them.
