The Risks and Benefits of HPV Vaccination

Finally an article that makes sense about HPV vaccine!

If the totality of the cost/benefit are unknowable at this time, but there is some level of predictable benefit, it will make sense to some to have the vaccine. As the benefits become documented over time then cost/risk analysis will become more accurate.
Also over time vaccines for the other strains of HPV will likely be developed. In any case those that do elect to have the vaccine will decrease the potential reservoir of the strains of the virus that are oncogenic.

Great article. Here's one of the articles referenced which has more good information.
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/...e2=tf_ipsecsha

Since vaccinated women still require regular exams and Pap smears, I would like to see a study comparing the rate of invasive disease among both non-vaccinated controls and vaccinated women. If that shows a significant difference, then I would support vaccination. Until then, I'm not sold.

Interesting that there may be an increase in disease caused by oncogenic strains of HPV not covered in the vaccine among women who receive the vaccine. Sounds like we need to consider the possible unintended consequences of this vaccine.

I agree with you Jolie but recognizing that it takes an estimated 20 - 40 years to develop CA from the oncogenic strains of HPV, it may be awhile before such a study is available for review.

You're right, and that points out the number of drugs, vaccines, etc. that receive FDA approval without truly adequate study of the risks/benefits.

I think the varicella vaccine is an excellent example. My oldest was a newborn when it first became widely-used in the U.S., although it had been used safely overseas prior to that time. I had her vaccinated due to the serious complications my friend's daughter suffered from chicken pox. This little girl had severe asthma and was on a course of steriods when she contracted chicken pox. Her immune system was dampened, and she became seriously ill, on a vent in ICU. She recovered, but that was enough to convince me to vaccinate my then 1-year-old daughter.

Since then, we have learned that a single dose of vaccine in young children does not confer long-term immunity. So now that my daughter is in her teens, and entering the phase of her life when sexual activity may begin, many of her counterparts are inadequately protected against chicken pox. My concern is that we will have a generation of child-bearing women who are not immune to chicken pox. One need only care for a single newborn born with a congenital varicella infection to understand the potential implications of that.

I'm now working as a school nurse, and just finished reviewng physicals and immunizaton records of our entering kindergarten and middle school students. Our state is phasing in a requirement for a second dose of varicella vaccine, but it will be several years before that requirement is fully implemented. In the meantime, there is much work to be done to educate parents of the need for a second dose. Parents are becoming understandably weary of new vaccine requirements, and skeptical of them.

I wonder if we did this generation any favors by requiring this vaccine without first knowing the need for long-term boosters.