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The human papillomavirus is associated with genital warts and a variety of different cancers, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal. Each year cervical cancer is diagnosed in more than 13,000 women and nearly 4,000 die from the disease.

This is why the HPV vaccine is extremely important, as it significantly reduces the incidence of cancer and genital warts. The FDA has approved three vaccines that are effective at preventing HPV infection. The vaccine is recommended for both girls and boys aged 11-12 years, and can be given to girls and boys up to the age of 26 years. For girls and boys who receive their first dose of HPV vaccine before the age of 15 years, only two doses are needed over 6-12 months. If the individual is over this age, three doses are needed in a 6-month period.

For women who are pregnant, the HPV vaccination is not recommended. Lactating women, however, should receive the HPV vaccine because inactivated vaccines like the HPV vaccine does not affect the safety of breastfeeding for these women or their infants. Additionally, women and men who present with immunosuppression, such as in patients with HIV or organ transplantation, should also receive the vaccine.

There has been no data to suggest that there are any severe adverse effects or reactions linked to vaccination. It is important that if you are under the age of 25, or have children under the age of 25, that you and/or your children should be vaccinated.

If vaccination rates in the United States increase to 80%, it is estimated that an additional 53,000 cases of cervical cancer could be prevented during the lifetime of those younger than 12 years. Furthermore, for every year that the vaccination rate does not increase, an additional 4,400 women will develop cervical cancer.  Speak to your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated.

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