HPV Shots Protection Holds For Many Years in Young Women and In Young Men

The CDC is trying for figure out why more women are not taking advantage of the HPV Vaccine. Rebecca B. Perkins, MD, from the School of Medicine, Boston University, Massachusetts, and colleagues sent a 15-item questionnaire to 1000 ACOG members. Of the 366 obstetrician/gynecologists who completed and returned the questionnaires, 92% reported offering vaccination to patients, but only 27% of their eligible patients were vaccinated. The most highly cited barrier to vaccination was refusal by parent or patient.

•  HPV Vaccination prevents cervical cancer
• Young men and boys can be vaccinated, and their vaccine will help prevent cervical cancer too
• You don't know if you have HPV unless tested
• HPV vaccination prevents vaginal, vulvar, anal and probably many oral cancers
• The first HPV shot is the most protective, but you are not as well protected over time if you don't get your boosters; the newest study says 2 doses are enough!
• Protection lasts a long time, recent studies show that it will last for over 8 years in girls and boys
• HPV shots prevents genital warts
• Women do not become immune to infection just by contact, most have to be vaccinated
• Safe Sex is still recommended by ACOG, the CDC and WHO