Vaccines can be a controversial topic in today’s day, especially after the whole coronavirus pandemic. But despite scientific evidence and data, conspiracy theories seem to be an overruling factor when it comes to the ultimate decision should I or shouldn’t I get the HPV vaccine.
“The HPV vaccine protects against the HPV virus which can cause cancer and genital warts in both women and men”, according to the HSE. In 2021, a study was published from England that tells us that getting the HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer, specifically those receiving the vaccine at the ages of 12 and 13.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women across the globe and women that live with HIV have a greater chance of developing cervical cancer by 6 times than those that don’t have HIV.
A study completed in 2020 from Sweden reports that “cervical cancer was diagnosed in 538 women who had not received Gardasil vaccine and in only 19 women who had received the vaccine.” These figures are not just striking and jaw-dropping but emphasise the importance of getting the HPV vaccine to reduce your risk of getting cervical cancer in your later years of life.
Not only does it prevent cervical cancer, but it also protects you from developing other cancers in the mouth, throat, head, and neck that are caused by HPV.
The HPV vaccine is recommended from the age of 11 or before the person becomes sexually active. Gardasil 9 can be given to both men and women within the age bracket of 9 to 45 years old.
To block out those conspiracy theories that circulate in the digital media world, it is proven with studies that those false claims are just that, false. The HPV vaccine does not make you develop postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome which is an increase in heart rate that can make you feel faint and dizzy or complex regional pain syndrome which is a form of chronic pain that usually affects an arm or a leg.
The evidence shows that the HPV vaccine is effective in eliminating cervical cancer and protects you from other cancers from HPV. The decision of men to get the vaccine inflicts onto others as the virus can be passed on to women. There needs to be the same emphasis on boys getting the HPV vaccine as there is with women.
Luckily, it was made part of the school immunisation programme in 2010 for women and recently in 2019 for boys, ensuring equal accessibility to both boys and girls.
The decision to get the HPV vaccine will always lie in the hands of the person itself. It is your body your choice. But don’t forget, your health is your wealth.