January is a month of consciousness for cervical cancer.
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HPV (human papilloma virus) is very common – so often that almost all of us get at some point.
HPV infections often disappear by itself, but the virus can cause some types of cancer.
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Almost all cervical cancer is caused by HPV, and the HPV vaccine works very well to prevent infection.
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More than 9 out of 10 cancer caused by HPV can be prevented by vaccination
According to the World Health Organization, 140 countries HPV vaccines have made part of their national vaccination programs. And it works.
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Australia is at the goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2035. Around 80% of children received at least 1 HPV vaccine at the age of 15 in 2022.
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In Scotland, 0 cases of cervical cancer in women who were fully vaccinated against HPV have been in women aged 12 or 13 years since the country’s vaccination program began in 2008.
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Norway had 0 cases of cervical cancer caused by HPV in 25-year-olds who received the vaccine as children.
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A study in Finland showed that, when only 1 of 2 children, only girls were vaccinated, most of the HPV types were wiped out.
Here in the United States we still have to do work when it comes to the HPV vaccination.
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The HPV vaccination rates in the USA are lower than in other countries
A little more than 61% of the 13-17 year olds in the United States were fully vaccinated against HPV vaccine in 2023. Compare this with the vaccine cover in these countries from January 2024:
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Norway 91%
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Iceland 85%
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Sweden 80%
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The HPV vaccination rates vary greatly from the state and are generally lower in rural areas
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Only 39% of young people were up to date on the HPV vaccine in Mississippi in 2022, compared to 85% on Rhode Island.
The HPV vaccine prevents cancer
Talk to your health service provider about protecting yourself or your children from cancer with the HPV vaccine.
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The HPV vaccine is recommended by the CDC for routine vaccination at the age of 11 or 12 (but can be started at the age of 9).
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The CDC also recommends the HPV vaccination for everyone at the age of 26 if they were not vaccinated when they were younger.
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Some adults aged 27 to 45 who were not vaccinated when they were younger can choose vaccination.
This educational resource was created with the support of Merck.