The HPV Vaccine Controversy

This Jezebel article came to our attention today, and to put it mildly, it disturbed some of the staff at UHPP greatly.  Here is a blurb that sums up the concerns:

A study from the Mayo Clinic (published in the journal Pediatrics) revealed that more than two in five parents believe the current HPV [vaccine] is either unnecessary, or causes harmful side effects.

The article goes on to explain why this is VERY BAD:

This, according to Mayo Clinic senior researcher Robert Jacobson, M.D., is a troubling trend…Dr. Jacobson explained that given what doctors know about the largely symptom-less spread of HPV and the collateral damage the virus can cause, it's important that parents strongly consider vaccinating their daughters at a fairly early age:

"HPV causes [a variety of gynecological] cancer, and 50 percent of all Americans get infected at least once with HPV. It's a silent infection. You cannot tell when you've been exposed or when you have it. While most HPV infections clear, a percentage linger and start the process of cancerous changes. The HPV vaccine is an anti-cancer vaccine."

Naturally this is an issue that is extremely relevant to Planned Parenthood, given that in 2011 they launched a huge campaign to educate the greater Capital District about the availability of the vaccine.  Not only was it free (and still is), but UHPP would even give patients a bus pass so they could get to one of their health centers.  However, the grant which UHPP received—which allowed them to provide this free service to the community-- only covered men and women from the ages of 19-26.  That is why it is even more crucial for parents to get involved and understand the importance of getting their children vaccinated at a younger age, as it is believed that the vaccine is more effective when administered before the subject becomes sexually active.

Blue Carreker, VP of Public Affairs and Media Relations at UHPP, had this to say about the controversy:

“I get that parents these days are worried about the large number of vaccines now required or suggested for children and young people. Based on history, we all need a healthy dose of skepticism regarding products pushed by doctors and pharmaceutical companies and should do our research.  But doing the research does not mean reading one or two articles by pseudo scientists or anti-drug activists who have their own slanted agenda.  Vaccines have worked to save millions of lives from small pox, cholera, and tuberculosis. And the lives of our sons and daughters are what we are talking about here. On Gardasil, the research and rationale are pretty conclusive. HPV is an epidemic; if you are sexually active it is almost impossible to avoid, especially if one does not use condoms (In the US, our rate of proper condom use is shockingly poor).  The Gardasil vaccine will not protect your son or daughter against all HPV strains, but it will protect them against the most dangerous strains that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. This is a life-saving vaccine. Cervical cancer is still potentially deadly. Genital warts are not curable. So learn the facts--then tell your daughters and sons to get the vaccination, before they are at serious risk.”

The fact that people would allow themselves to be so easily led astray when the lives of their kids are at stake is mind-blowing.  People owe it to their children to at least do all the necessary research before drawing conclusions, and consider the sources of the information they’ve received.

Meaghan Carroll, Director of Education at UHPP, had this to add to the debate:

“For me there are really two fundamental issues at play. One, the need for better provider education around adolescent sexuality; including everything from how to do a proper sexual history, to how to talk with parents about topics that are always sensitive. If more providers were proactive in talking about Gardasil, as well as the myriad of adolescent sexuality issues, I think this wouldn't be as much of an issue, and frankly doctors avoid it. They're afraid to bring it up with patients and they're afraid to bring it up with parents. The other issue, is the more broadly pervasive belief (that won't die) that talking to kids about sex will make them go out and have it. I have no idea how to actually make a dent in that, but that seems to be the secondary underlying fear.

What always amazed me though is that people won't give a Gardasil shot for HPV, but every one of their children has been vaccinated against Hepatitis B BEFORE THEY LEAVE THE HOSPITAL. Does that not seem a little hypocritical? I don't understand why no one else seems to be saying that! Hey remember when you gave your 2 day old baby a shot for a sexually transmitted disease and your baby didn't go out and go Spring Break crazy? Well your 9 year old won't either.”

Doctor House would not approve

If Meaghan’s comment sounded crazy, then you’ll find that the truth is stranger than fiction—by which I mean you cannot make this stuff up.  There was a horribly misguided and misleading movement dedicated to convincing parents that the HPV vaccine would somehow increase sexual promiscuity in tweens and teens.  Yes, really.  The most annoying thing about it all was that legitimate scientists had to waste their time conducting a study just to clear this up.  But still, people remain unconvinced.

Please folks, do your research and do what’s right for your family.  And if you need any more advice, give UHPP a call and a clinician will be happy to speak with you and help put your concerns to rest.