Submitted by the Island Reproductive Health Initiative
If you were born prior to 1980, you may have missed an important opportunity to receive the first vaccine for Human Papilloma Virus approved by the FDA. That was in 2006, but it only targeted teens aged 11-12 years old as being eligible. Shortly after, the FDA expanded the age range from 9-26 years. In 2018, the FDA expanded the age limit again for HPV vaccine to include adults up to 45 years old.
HPV is a common, sexually transmitted infection often acquired soon after sexual debut. There are over 150 strains of the virus, most of which are transient with no symptoms. However, some strains persist, causing genital warts or, decades later, cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates there are over 33,000 new cases of HPV-related cancers in the U.S. every year. This includes cervical and vaginal cancers in women, penile cancer in men, and oral and throat cancers in both sexes. HPV cancer symptoms can take years to show up. In women, it may make its first appearance as pre-cancerous cells seen on a routine pap smear. The HPV vaccine is the first vaccine that targets the dangerous, cancer-causing strains of the virus as well as HPV-associated diseases.
The vaccination program has resulted in significant declines in rates of HPV infections, anogenital warts and cervical precancers. But what about the women and men who missed the age cut-off for the vaccine? Aren’t they still vulnerable?
Definitely. Some adults could still be at risk for new HPV infection and would benefit from the vaccine. Therefore, the CDC now recommends “shared decision making” between adults up to age 45 and their clinicians, to discuss the benefits of immunization. Clinicians and patients should be aware that HPV vaccination for adults might not be covered by insurance providers or other payers, and this may affect the decision to vaccinate.
What does all this mean? Put simply, if you are an adult less than 46 years old, you’re eligible to receive HPV vaccine. If you never received it before, or if you were not fully immunized in your youth, talk to your doctor. Even if you were exposed to HPV in the past, the vaccine may still provide further protection against other strains of the virus in the future.
The Island Reproductive Health Initiative encourages all Islanders to be mindful of their reproductive health. See our website at rhiorcas.weebly.com.
