Cervical Cancer Vaccine 

What do you know about the cervical cancer vaccine? What is it? Is it safe and how do you know if you need it? The new vaccine to offer protection from the virus that causes almost all cases of cervical cancer has now been added to the official childhood immunization schedule but this leaves a lot of people asking questions about this cervical cancer vaccine, if it’s safe, if it’s necessary and who needs it.

Cervical cancer hits about 10,000 women each year, making it a very serious problem and these statistics are in the United States alone. The cervical cancer vaccine helps protect against human papillomavirus (HPV) which is the cause of most cases of cervical cancer.

The cervical cancer vaccine is designed to protect against two specific types of HPV- type 16 and 18. This is believed to get to the root of the cancer and prevent the first steps from beginning. It is recommended that the vaccine be given to girls at age 11 or 12. It can be used in girls as young as nine and females up to about age 26. The idea is to start the vaccine before the young women become sexually active to have the best chance of reducing the contract of HPV.

The cervical cancer vaccine is given in a series of three injections and takes place over a six month period. The vaccine can also help if you are already sexually active so anyone who missed the vaccine or missed the full series is encouraged to see a catch-up vaccine.

A series of three shots is recommended to ensure the best chance at beating HPV for a lifetime. Women will still need to have their regular Pap tests and there is still a chance of getting cervical cancer even with the vaccine. However, the vaccine removes the biggest and most common cause of cervical cancer, which is HPV.

Whether or not the cervical cancer vaccine is required for school enrollment is determined on a state by state basis. According to where you live, your girls may need the vaccine for school enrollment.

See our related article on cancer.