HPV Vaccine Mandatory for Middle-Schoolers Paper Example

The Human Papilloma Virus, HPV, remains among the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases, despite having an available, safe, and efficacious vaccine (White 429). Other causations of the silent virus include cervical, vaginal, and vulvar malignances in women and penile cancers in men. Additional results include anal malignant tumors, cancer of the oropharynx, and genital warts in males and in females (CDC). The virus has lethal effects which are responsible for its morbidity and mortality. By targeting children in middle school, who are typically aged 11 to around 16 years, the activity is likely to yield good results as that is ahead of the age of sexual debut for most children in America. The campaign for the HPV vaccine shots has been shot down, mainly for its side effects and for the notion that it encourages early sexual activity. The essay deliberates both the benefits and the drawbacks of the vaccine, to see whether the use of the vaccine is qualified.

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The Human papillomavirus is associated with multiple causalities, which can be stopped by preventing HPV infection through immunization. Estimates show that about half of all sexually active individuals contract the virus in their lifetimes (Krishnan 1312). The virus causes no indications in many scenarios of infection. However, two strains of HPV, 16 and 18, are associated with many causations of cervical cancer to account for 70% of all cases (Krishnan 1312). Having more than 150 documented strains of the virus, about 40 of them are transmissible sexually (White, 2014). Studies of the HPV vaccine reveal that it is useful, protecting against cancers and other lesions caused by the HPV virus (Krishnan 1313). Being a common virus that infects about 14 million people, including teens, every year, the virus deserves careful attention. That calls for the need to immunize teens and preteens against the HPV epidemic. The HPV has deadly consequences in both males and females, an overwhelming reason to use its available vaccine. The incidence of the primary cancers is unfortunately on the rise. About 40-50% of all penile tumors are a result of HPV infection (Krishnan 1313). Studies reveal that the immunization with vaccines that target carcinogenic HPV 16 and 18 are likely to lessen up to one-third of incident squamous cell cancers of the penis (White, 2014).

It is refreshing to note that in the USA the need for HPV immunization is well taken up. Mandates by states have increased the number of kids who are now immunized. Virginia and the District of Columbia require for HPV immunization for children to go to school (White 430). A number of HPV infections do not manifest as signs and symptoms and are tackled by the immune system before they show. The common cancer-causing types of HPV, strain 16 and 18 and the causative agents of warts, 6 and 11, are targeted by the more common quadrivalent vaccine named Gardasil by Merck & Company. A less used bivalent vaccine is in circulation for HPV 16 and 18, known as Cervarix by GSK (White 430).

The use of the vaccine is instructed by the CDC. In young adolescents, mostly middle-school children, they are clear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requires that a vaccine of HPV should be administered to children 11 or 12 years old, six to 12 months apart (CDC, 2018). The CDC in 2011 advised for male patients aged 9 to 26 to receive the HPV vaccine with added doses for catchup regimen, dependent on age (White 431). The vaccination to preteens is recommended as it is shown to be mainly on time for sexual debut for most, hence protecting them from possible exposure to human papillomaviruses in intimate sexual contact (Notaro). Some recipients may require three doses of vaccine. Such categories include adolescents who get the immunization shots less than five months apart need a third dose for maximal protection. It also applies to kids who start the vaccine on or following reaching 15 years of age. They require three shots of immunization in six months. An advisory of the CDC is that all teens that have not been immunized should receive the necessary shots as soon as possible. All parents of such youngsters are recommended to make appointments for any remaining shots with a doctor in every session of immunization they attend. It is pertinent to note that the vaccine could be given in infancy, but due to the many shots at childhood and its sexual transmission, it is only sensible to administer it in preteens and young teens (CDC).

The pronouncement to release the HPV vaccine was widely accepted in 2006, as most people were happy with the potential of the virus to reduce morbidity and mortality (Krishnan 1314). A few individuals, however, received the news with controversy, as it was recommended for girls as young as nine years of age (Krishnan 1314). The moral aspect has been shown to be irrational by studies. Immunization to HPV does not increase the propensity to have sex earlier in children and adolescents.

Concerning cost-effectiveness, the vaccine is validated by numerous inquiries. The immunization is more effective than cervical cancer screening practices that solely use Papanicolaou smears. An addition of boys to the vaccination programs exceeds traditional cost-effectiveness (White 433). HPV vaccines are of a substantial positive influence on the epidemiology of the HPV. Longer observations can, however, can validate those deductions. The vaccines are mostly affordable, and sponsorship programs to those who do not afford them are available. For instance, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program freely offers vaccines to kids aged 18 years and below, who are not insured and are eligible for Medicaid (CDC). That barely leaves any excuse to cost as a reason to not immunize teens and preteens from the menacing HPV.

The most critical downsides of the HPV vaccine are adverse effects. These are basic and common with other immunizations and medications. Such results are benign and include pain, redness, or inflammation in the arm where the injection is administered (CDC). Other effects may include dizziness, fainting, nausea, and headache. In adolescents, fainting is more common than in other groups after the injection is given. Preventing injuries during the process of fainting is imperative. Adolescents are recommended to be seated or lying down to counter this, during immunization shots and stay in that position 15 minutes after receiving their doses. It is pertinent to report of any allergies in a recipient to latex or yeast before administering the injection. The vaccine also contraindicated in pregnancy (CDC).

Parental resistance to vaccination is among the challenges that face the uptake of protection against the HPV. The trend seems to be associated with the education of both medical practitioners and caregivers concerning side effects and the moral matters that surround human sexuality (Krishnan 1314). The five main motives why caregivers seem to not assent to vaccination of their kids include lack of adequate knowledge, excessive safety concerns (Itty 125). That calls for education to the parents and guardians.

About the way forward, when gauging whether to give one's child the HPV vaccine, the main issue is to discuss with a trusted specialist. Should a choice be made to have a child immunized, it is good to record and keep the dates and the details of the vaccine, the label and the given amount, together with the specialist's name and address.

In conclusion, why, since eight years after its release, are parents and guardians still tangled about giving their children the HPV vaccine? While all immunizations and drugs have dangers and advantages, the HPV vaccination is especially suspicious in light of the age at which it is given. It is best given before sexual debut, and no parent needs to think about their preteen as being sexually active. The 3-shot Gardasil plan, endorsed by the FDA for young ladies in 2006 and young men in 2009, has two unique roles. It prevents specific strains of cervical malignancy caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Secondly, it lowers the rate of genital warts, which is the reason it is suitable for both young men and young ladies. The competing shot of Cervarix, permitted by the FDA in 2009, alleviates the same cervical malignancies as Gardasil. The shot does not act against genital warts and is valuable for young ladies and not for young males.

Conclusion

The human papillomavirus, despite its virulence, is a menace that we are capable of countering. With the focus to children in preschool, who form the majority of the target ages for vaccination, the campaign for HPV vaccination requires to be enhanced. The various number of HPV strains and their multitude of effects make it a dangerous virus to contract. That calls for the need to get anyone who has access to be immunized. With all the communicable and non-communicable diseases facing humankind, at least this one has a vaccine, and one has shown significant efficacy. Most importantly, the vaccine is the most excellent tool to prevent cervical cancer, one of the top cancers affecting women, among other tumors and warty lesions brought by diverse HPV strains.

The vaccine has not lacked its fair share of challenges which have discouraged parents from immunizing their children. The shortcomings of the HPV virus including, allergic reactions and fainting, and others are previously elucidated. These effects lack severity and happen in a small minority of populations. Other groups of people have reservations over the purpose of the immunization shots, with a presumption that it encourages early sexual behavior, an item that is countered by some studies. The benefits of the vaccine largely outweigh its drawbacks, and hence it is a great disservice to a child to have them not immunized. The immunization should, by all means, be availed to all preteens and teens from the world over, as a matter of policy.

Works Cited

CDC, Centers for disease control and prevention. HPV Vaccine for Preteens and Teens. 18 November 2018. <https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/teen/hpv.html>.

Itty, TL, et al. "HPV Awareness among American Indian Young Adults: Implications for Health Education." Journal of Cultural Diversity (2014): 123-129. <http://db04.linccweb.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=107839842&site=eds-live>.

Krishnan, Shobha S. "The HPV Vaccine Controversy. Sex, Cancer, God, and Politics: A Guide for Parents,Women, Men, and Teenagers." British Journal of Cancer (2010): 1312-1315. <http://union.discover.flvc.org/cc.jsp?fl=ba&st=HPV++controversy&ix=kw&fl=ba&V=D&S=0311542543752314&I=0>.

Notaro, SR. Health Disparities Among Under-Served Populations : Implications for Research, Policy and Praxis. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2012. <http://db04.linccweb.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e900xww&>.

White, Mark Donald. "Pros, cons, and ethics of HPV vaccine in teens-Why such controversy?" Translational andrology and urology (2014): 429-34.