American Dermatological Association Emphasizes HPV Vaccination

The American Dermatological Association (ADA1) is pleased to announce its co-sponsorship with the American Cancer Society in its public policy of vaccination against the human papovavirus (HPV) beginning at age 11 or 12 for girls and boys. 

Additionally, the American Dermatological Association recognizes the expanded age range for the Gardasil 9 HPV vaccine to include women and men between the ages of 27 and 45, according to a press release published on November 8, 2018.

The ADA1 said ‘Dermatologists routinely engage in the care of patients with mucocutaneous manifestations of HPV infections.’ 

The American Dermatological Association said ‘Vaccines protect people against the most pathogenic cancer serotypes.’ 

Moreover, the vaccines markedly reduce the mortality associated with HPV infections. 

While there are numerous serotypes of HPV, type 16 and 18 are responsible for the majority of malignancies. 

HPV is associated with protean medical illnesses including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers, as well as warts, condylomata, and oropharyngeal papillomas, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).    

HPV infects 79 million people in the United States and is associated with 32,500 cases of cancer in men and women. 

Dermatologists can create awareness and provide another trusted resource to their patients encouraging them to consult their primary health care provider regarding HPV vaccination.

Recently, the President’s Cancer Panel report said ‘that the underuse of HPV vaccines is a serious, but correctable threat to cancer prevention.’ 

Although HPV vaccine uptake has improved in recent years, the fact remains that less than 48 percent of boys and girls in the United States are fully vaccinated against preventable cancers, said the Panel’s Chair in a letter to the President of the USA. 

This updated report describes the modest HPV vaccination progress of just 5 percent per year and presents strategies to reach the Healthy People 2020 goals of 80 percent immunization. 

"With HPV being the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, it is important that we as pharmacists are able to educate patients about the virus, its complications, and the benefits of vaccination,” said Alexandria Duffield, Pharm.D. Clinical Pharmacist, MTM and Immunization Specialist for Brookshire Grocery Company. 

Previous HPV cancer news:

• Cervical Cancer Screening For HPV-Negative Women Might Stop at Age 55
• Women with hrHPV-positive Cervical Tumors had a 39% Better Prognosis
• MDs Should Focus on HPV Vaccination’s Potential to Prevent Cancers

To easily schedule an HPV vaccination appointment, please visit this page.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccine Price List provides HPV vaccine prices for general information.

And vaccine discounts can be found here. 

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects, says the CDC. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.