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ADVICE FROM YOUR
&
23
LOCAL DOC
Vaccines Help Prevent Cancer in Kids
By Dr. Amanda
Foxx, Family
Practice Associates
of Lexington,
P.S.C.
Parents are advised to vaccinate
their children against the usual gamut
of diseases, such as measles, mumps
and chicken pox. Pediatricians today
urge parents to also vaccinate children against human papillomavirus,
or HPV.
According to the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC), HPV is
a group of more than 150 related
viruses. Each HPV virus in this group
has a number, which is called its HPV
type. There are more than 40 HPV
types that can infect the genitals, and
some HPV types can lead to cancer,
especially cervical cancer. HPV is the
most common sexually transmitted
infection. Most people – about nine
in 10 – will get an HPV infection
at some point in their lives. HPV is
most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. HPV infections can
cause several health problems.
The CDC maintains preteens and
teens need the protection of vaccines
to keep them healthy. As kids get
older, protection they received from
some childhood vaccines begins to
wear off. Additionally, some vaccines
work better when given during adolescence.
However, a recent survey shows
while they are increasing, HPV vaccination rates remain low. Coverage
with one or more doses of HPV vaccine for girls increased by 3.3 percentage points from 56.7 percent in 2013
to 60.0 percent in 2014. Coverage
with one or more doses of HPV vaccine for boys increased by 8.1 percentage points from 33.6 percent in
2013 to 41.7 percent in 2014.
Three licensed HPV vaccines are
available in the United States. The
vaccines are given as a series of three
shots over six months to protect
against HPV infection and the health
problems ongoing HPV infections
can cause. The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approved
Gardasil 9 for use in 2014. The safety
of Gardasil 9 was studied in clinical
trials with more than 15,000 participants before it was licensed, and it
continues to be monitored. Gardasil 9
protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16,
18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. The FDA
approved Gardasil for use in 2006.
Gardasil protects against HPV types
6, 11, 16 and 18. The FDA approved
Cervarix for use in 2009. The safety
of Cervarix was studied in clinical
trials with more than 30,000 participants before it was licensed, and it
continues to be monitored. Cervarix
protects women and girls against
HPV types 16 and 18.
While the HPV vaccine is very
safe and effective at preventing HPV,
there are sometimes side effects.
These are usually mild and may
include pain, redness, or swelling in
the arm where the shot was given;
fever; headache; nausea; and muscle
or joint pain. Anyone who has had a
severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to a dose of HPV vaccine should
not get another dose.
Anyone who has a severe, lifethreatening allergy to any component
of HPV vaccine should not get the
vaccine.
Be sure to discuss with your
pediatrician all your concerns about
the HPV vaccine. Over the years
the vaccines have steadily improved
and remain your child’s best defense
against HPV.
About the Author
Dr. Amanda Foxx grew up in
Lexington, KY. After graduating from
Furman University in Greenville, S.C.,
Dr. Foxx attended medical school
at the University of Kentucky and
graduated in 2011. She then completed
her residency in combined Internal
Medicine and Pediatrics at UK in May
2015, where she was Chief Resident
from 2014-2015. Dr. Foxx has a special interest in preventative care and
women’s health. She enjoys taking care
of all patients from newborns to the
elderly. She is very excited to start her
career at the same practice founded by
her father. She joined FPA in August
2015.