HPV Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

HPV - Essay Example Furthermore, by making the vaccine mandatory in public schools, it will be possible to immunize a large number of women and girls against HPV infection. School mandates are known to be huge public health successes and compliance rates for vaccines are often high when they are made mandatory in schools (Young, 2009). School mandates especially for vaccinations in the adolescent population have been very successful because otherwise there is poor compliance with routine vaccination among those in this age range (Young, 2009). HPV vaccination in public schools will therefore ensure that a large number of youth are immunized without the stigma associated with the vaccine. HPV vaccine is shown to prevent cervical cancer in women. The Cervarix vaccine protects against two cancer causing strains, namely HPV 16 and HPV 18 that are known to be responsible for 70% of the cases of cervical cancer (Donahou, 2013; immunizationinfo.org, 2008). The Gardasil vaccine protects against HPV types 16, 18, 6 and 11 (Donahou, 2013). The HPV vaccine works best before the individual is infected with the virus. The vaccine is rendered useless when administered to a woman already infected with the HPV vaccine strain because it cannot confer protection to a previously infected individual. Because the virus spreads through sexual intercourse, it is best for the vaccination to be administered before the initiation of sexual activity. Administration of the vaccine in public schools is thus beneficial because statistics suggest a large number of school going students engage in sexual behavior by the end of high school (immunizationinfo.org, 2008). Some contend that introducing the vaccine in public schools will promote sexual behavior among school students (immunizationinfo.org, 2008). Pro-abstinence groups and social conservatives argue that vaccinating youth in schools against HPV vaccine sends out a â€Å"subtle message condoning sexual