Essay on Should Girls and Young Women be Immunized Against Human Papillomavirus?

Women and men of all ages are not immune to the human papillomavirus, often referred to as HPV; in fact, research indicates that about 80 million Americans suffer from this deadly virus (“About HPV- Human Papillomavirus”). There has been much debate whether girls and young women should be immunized against HPV. One side argues for the safe and effective vaccine to be implemented in an effort to reduce future cancers and health complications. While the other side argues that the developer of the vaccine had ulterior motives raged on by wealth, and the vaccine is not fully effective. (“HPV Vaccine”). For the well-being of everyone, girls and young women should be immunized against the human papillomavirus in order to reduce cancer risk, try to eradicate the virus by herd immunity, and safely protect themselves and those around them.

Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted disease. It can be transferred by any genital-on-genital contact, making it more prominent than other sexually transmitted diseases that are spread by bodily fluids (“HPV Vaccine”). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 14 million Americans become infected with HPV per year (“About HPV- Human Papillomavirus”). The human papillomavirus can be categorized based on symptoms of those infected, ranging from “low-risk” which includes genital warts, to “high-risk” which may lead to cancer (“HPV Vaccine”). These “low-risk” individuals may develop extremely contagious and uncomfortable genital warts that can go away on their own or be removed by doctors. While the “high-risk” individuals may increase their chance of developing cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, or anal cancer (“HPV Vaccine”). Recently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that of 45,300 new cancer cases in regions of HPV hotspots, 35,900 were caused by HPV (“How Many Cancers Are Linked with HPV Each Year?”). Originally, the link between HPV and cancer was discovered by Harald Zer Hausen, a German virologist, during the 1970’s and 1980’s (“HPV Vaccine”). Since then, companies have worked effortlessly to find a way to prevent HPV by immunization. Gardasil was the first vaccine to be Food and Drug Administration certified to prevent human papillomavirus. The vaccine was thought to be accomplished for being the first cancer-preventing immunization. Many argue about the effectiveness of the vaccine against cancer due to its possible short duration of protection period. They argue that the young girls are receiving the vaccination at eleven and twelve years old, and it wears off by five years, making the girls about sixteen or seventeen years old, possibly just starting their sexual interactions with others. They argue that when the vaccination wears off, they are less likely to be protected from these genital warts and future cancers (“HPV Vaccine”). Based on continuous monitoring and research, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention challenges this five year effectiveness argument. They state that after ten years, the protection for these women remained high and there is no evidence of that statistic falling in the future (“HPV Vaccination Is Safe and Effective”). Also, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, often referred to as the CDC, declares that since the vaccination was introduced, HPV infections have lowered by a significant 86% among teen girls (“Reasons to Get Vaccinated against HPV” ). Proven by ongoing empirical evidence by the CDC, the human papillomavirus vaccination prevents future deadly cancers. 

Not only does the HPV vaccine fend off multiple kinds of cancers, but it can help to eradicate the human papillomavirus in our world. Vaccinations work by herd immunization. Herd immunity is the idea that if a majority of the population gets vaccinated, it will indirectly provide protection to those who are not, successfully eradicating diseases. Studies have shown that vaccinations and herd immunity has eliminated polio and measles, which were extremely prevalent and sometimes deadly diseases. Polio vaccination arrived in the United States in 1955 and by 1979, the country had eradicated the disease by increased use of vaccinations and herd immunity (“Polio Vaccination”). Similarly, new evidence points to a growing herd immunity regarding HPV. In a Journal of Infectious Diseases, authors compiled data on men and women who received the immunization. They discussed how there was a decrease of HPV in 71% of fourteen to nineteen year olds and a decrease of 61% in twenty to twenty-four years olds. They theorized that this is due to herd immunity and the high levels of vaccinations (Unger, et al ). Opponents of the HPV vaccine argue that herd immunity cannot be achieved unless the vaccine is legally mandated; they claim it is too unethical to force it because of the hefty price of the immunization. New studies as the one previously mentioned show that even in states that do not make the vaccine mandatory, they are gaining herd immunity to the virus (Unger, et al). As for the price of the vaccination, insurances are required to pay for most or all of the cost. If the vaccination was mandatory, it would be illegal to make the parents pay out of pocket for it, thus decreasing the cost and increasing the likelihood of herd immunity (“HPV Vaccine”).

Along with many other reasons why girls and young women should be immunized against the human papillomavirus, the protection of themselves and those around them is important. Personally, I received the HPV vaccination when I was twelve years old. My parents decided this for me in an effort to protect myself later in life. Years later, my mother informed me of her personal struggles with HPV. She is a “high-risk” patient and currently has the possibility of developing cervical and vaginal cancer. Through her story, I realize I have no regrets about obtaining the antibodies for HPV. I know that I can protect myself from a deadly disease and help shield those around me. The vaccination protects physical health, but it also prevents mental health issues from arising in those that are vaccinated and the people around them. Living with a sexually transmitted disease can be exhausting. Coping with this disease or even cancer caused by HPV can create lifelong depression and anxiety regarding health, financial stability, and social well-being. Having a disease requires an instantiable amount of money. It also can make conversations with others hard to accomplish, thus isolating individuals with STDs and increasing mental health problems. Bridget Maher of the Family Research Council and many others argue that the vaccination promotes premarital sex. They believe that they are incentifying girls to engage in sexual behaviors at a young age. Individuals for the vaccination dispute this belief, claiming there is no evidence that girls and young women who receive the immunization begin sexual behaviors earlier in life. Also, girls and young women who do not plan to be sexually active may also be at risk of HPV. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every five women have experienced rape or attempted rape in their lifetime (“Sexual Violence Is Preventable”). Even an abstinent individual could be at risk of being infected by the human papillomavirus; this vaccination can prevent HPV and the complications attached to it. 

Many other arguments have been made to persuade parents to not immunize their daughters. Some other arguments include side effects of the vaccination, and an ulterior motive of the creator of the vaccination. Like any medication, the vaccine has side effects, these include nausea, swelling, fainting, and muscle pain. Although some may argue that these side effects are deadly, in most cases they are not. They are slight inconveniences for a lifetime of protection for those who receive the vaccination and those around them. Some argue that the developer of the vaccine, Merck & Co. lobbied for the HPV vaccination in America because he craved wealth instead of helping the community. They argue the company’s credibility was demolished when they gave money to organizations too aggressively to spread the word of their vaccine. While their marketing strategy was assertive, they were attempting to give factual information to credible people in an effort to help protect girls and young women (“HPV Vaccine”).

In conclusion, the human papillomavirus has many complications including higher risk of cancer and physical and mental problems. Although the debate on whether girls and young women should be immunized against human papillomavirus, it is proven that the HPV vaccination can prevent multiple types of cancers, help to eradicate the disease, and promote safety and good mental health in individuals and groups of people. Opposers of the vaccination directly disregard years of scientific research, observations, and monitoring of patients. It is the job of scientists, doctors, educators, and every single person to do their research on human papillomavirus vaccines and help to end this sexually transmitted disease in an effort to prevent future health complications for every individual.