Kansas City,
24
May
2017
|
13:24 PM
America/Chicago

HPV Vaccination is Cancer Prevention

Having access to the right information is key to being proactive about your child's health and safety.

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. It can cause cancers of the genital regions in men and women, as well as cancers of the throat.

The HPV vaccine protects against these cancers. The vaccine is FDA-approved to be given at age 9, and recommended for preteen boys and girls at age 11 and 12 so they are protected before ever being exposed to the human papillomavirus. Everyone needs more than one dose. Talk to your doctor about the best way for you to complete the series.

Parents, check out the video below featuring Dr. Barbara Pahud for more information on the safety and importance of the HPV vaccine:

 

Did you know Kansas and Missouri have 2 of the lowest vaccination rates in the nation?

38.3% of girls and 32.8% of boys in Kansas

47.5% of girls and 29% of boys in Missouri

 

Here are some additional facts about HPV vaccine:

60% of girls are vaccinated nationwide

33,000+ HPV-associated cancers occur in the U.S. each year

10% of the population has oral HPV, which can cause cancers of the throat, tonsils and tongue

80% of people get HPV infections at some point in their lives.

 

Learn more about HPV.

Learn more about the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Mercy.