By: Nicholas Bakalar
New York Times
Published: 05/07/12
Health
280 page
Based on the insurance records of 271,976 girls and women in the US who received a vaccination from 2006 to 2009 the rate of young women completing the HPV series has decreased. Within a year dropped the rate dropped to less than 22 percent in 2009 from more than 50% in 2006. There was an increased percentage of the completed series from 15% in 2006 to 24% in 2009 within the 2% of women who are older than 27 receiving the shots off-label. Even though the primary time to get these shots is between 11-12 years of age in girls within a 6 month time period. Catch up shots would be next to ideal from 13-26 years of age. Girls who received their vaccinations from clinics were less likely to complete the series compared to getting them done by a pediatrician. They are also more likely to get the whole 3 shot series, if they were to go to a gynecologist. According to Dr. Abbey Berenson, getting only 1 of the shots does not protect, because all of their data is based on three injections.
To Conclude, the data suggests that women are not taking their HPV shots at the ideal time and place. This absence of completing the series can have dire risks for the women.Without the series of shots, the rate of cervical cancer will also increase, and life spans will desecrate. If there were more information and awareness of the risks of not receiving all three shots, the increase and growth of population would improve. Without this vaccine, the likelihood of getting cervical cancer is much higher.
Knowing that HPV is a very strong disease that can kill you i would've thought that more women would be admit about getting the shot taken care of. I remember when this shot first came out, everyone was going to their doctor to get it.l But when i look back on it i do see a decrease of people talking about getting their vaccine. I had gotten the first shot in middle school and had completely forgotten about it until a few weeks ago when my doctor said i needed to get the next round. I think that every girl should be required to get this shot because it helps protect against a very harmful disease that could lead to death. Get the shot!
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