Back-to-School News: Life-Saving Vaccine For Girls Promoted

The HPV vaccine is life-saving: it reduces the transmission of the human papilloma virus, an infection that can lead to cervical cancer. This past June, the Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine for women ages 9 to 26.

But it may be a long road from FDA approval to widespread vaccination of girls. There is opposition from conservative religious groups, as well as nervousness from parents unsure about how to discuss the vaccine with their daughters.

This week’s news highlighted some of the positive initiatives to promote HPV vaccination.

From CNN:

“LANSING, Michigan (AP)—Michigan girls entering the sixth grade next year would have to be vaccinated against cervical cancer under legislation backed Tuesday by a bipartisan group of female lawmakers.

The legislation is the first of its kind in the United States, said Republican state Sen. Beverly Hammerstrom, lead sponsor.

The vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in June for use in girls and women and has been hailed as a breakthrough in cancer prevention. It prevents infections from some strains of the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus, which can cause cervical cancer and genital warts…

A government advisory panel said that ideally, the vaccine should be given before girls become sexually active.

The American Cancer Society estimates that cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 9,700 women nationwide, and that 3,700 will die.

‘We believe we can save the lives of these girls,’ Hammerstrom said.”

Legislation requiring vaccinations of girls could raise awareness of the vaccine and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.
The bill also includes a conscience clause allowing parents to choose not to vaccinate their children.

For parental guardians unsure of how to discuss the vaccine with their children, the Associated Press article "HPV Vaccine Creates Parental Challenge" describes healthy conversations between girls, doctors and parents.