Why Does the Government Recommend Vaccination for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)?
An estimated 14 million people contract Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) each year, making it the most common sexually-transmitted infection in the United States. While HPV has a number of symptoms, its most significant risk is that HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer among women. HPV is also known to cause various other types of cancer in both women and men.
Today, HPV can be prevented through vaccination. Due to the risks for individuals who become infected, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children get vaccinated against HPV at age 11 or 12. The CDC also recommends vaccination for young women through age 26 and young men through age 21 who have not been previously vaccinated, as well as young men through age 26 who have been sexually active with other men or who have compromised immune systems.
About HPV Vaccination
The Human Papilloma Virus vaccine is administered in a series of three doses. The second dose is typically given one or two months after the first dose, with the third dose coming another four to five months later. All three doses are typically administered by a shot in the upper arm.
According to the CDC, the current HPV vaccines are nearly 100 percent effective in preventing the cancer risks associated with HPV. Even with relatively low vaccination rates (the CDC did not begin recommending HPV vaccination until 2006), HPV vaccines have contributed to a 56 percent reduction in instances of HPV among teenage girls in the United States.
Approved HPV Vaccines in the United States
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three different vaccines for HPV. These are:
- Cervarix – Cervarix has been approved for vaccination against two types of HPV: 16 and 18. Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, Cervarix was first approved as an HPV vaccine in 2009. Cervarix is only used for vaccination of girls and young women.
- Gardasil – Manufactured by Merck, Gardasil was the first HPV vaccine to receive FDA approval in 2006. Gardasil is approved for vaccination against four types of HPV: 6, 11, 16 and 18. It is used to vaccinate both males and females.
- Gardasil 9 – Gardasil 9 only received FDA approval in 2014. As its name suggests, it vaccinates against nine types of HPV. Along with the types of HPV prevented by Gardasil, Gardasil 9 also protects against types 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58.
What are the Risks Associated with the HPV Vaccine?
As with all vaccines, HPV vaccinations carry a number of risks. One of the most serious is the risk of shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). There are several types of vaccinations that may lead to SIRVA, many of which can cause damaging, long-term effects such as: sharp or stabbing shoulder pain, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tears and many more. Learn more about shoulder injury associated with HPV vaccination.
Schedule a Free Consultation about Your HPV Vaccine Injury at the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery Today
If you or your child has suffered a shoulder injury after receiving an HPV shot, you may be entitled to compensation through the federal government’s National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). At the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery, our vaccine lawyer represents individuals in vaccine claims nationwide in their efforts to seek compensation under the VICP.
To get more information about how to seek compensation for shoulder injury related to HPV vaccination, contact the Center for Vaccine Shoulder Pain Recovery to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Contact us online to get started today.