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The new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: pros and cons for pediatric and adolescent health.

Article Excerpt
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly acquired sexually transmitted infection in the United States for those ages 16 to 24 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2006). HPV is spread through skin to skin contact during sexual play and through all types of intercourse--vaginal, oral, and anal (Koutsky, 1997). Although condoms may offer some protection, they do not prevent the spread of HPV, which includes more than 40 different DNA strains or types (CDC, 2006). Most of these DNA types manifest themselves as genital warts or go unnoticed; however, four specific types (6, 11, 16, and 18) are linked to cervical cancer. These four HPV types are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts (Harper, Franco, & Wheeler, 2006).

The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data estimated that in 2008, more than 11,000 women would be diagnosed with cervical cancer (Ries et al., 2008). Data on incidence rates for cervical cancer indicate that in the U.S., African-American and Hispanic women have the highest incidence rates of cervical cancer (CDC, 2006). These data also demonstrate a persistent rise in incidence of cervical cancer for both of these groups over the last six years.

HPV and the New HPV Vaccine

In June 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed the first vaccine to prevent cervical cancer caused by certain types of HPV, specifically 6, 11, 16, and 18 (FDA, 2006). The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted unanimously to recommend that girls 11 to 12 years of age receive the HPV vaccine (CDC, 2006).

The FDA licensed the HPV vaccine as safe and effective (FDA, 2006). This vaccine has been tested in more than 11,000 females (ages 9 to 26 years) around the world (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2005; Villa et al., 2005). No serious side effects were noted in these studies. The vaccine can be administered to girls as young as 9 and is also recommended for 13 to 26-year-old girls/women who have not yet received or completed the vaccine series (FDA, 2006). Young, sexually active women may benefit from the vaccine, but there is less protection because these young women may already have acquired one or more HPV type(s) (Weinstock, Berman, & Cates, 2000).

The HPV vaccine is given through a...

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