WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vaccinating kids against HPV

Burlington, Vermont - November 10, 2011

In Vermont, most children receive a whole host of vaccinations beginning in the first hours of life. And that immunization schedule includes a vaccine against a sexually transmitted virus called human papilloma virus or HPV. It's been recommended for girls at around age 11 for the past five years. And now, federal health officials say boys should get the series of shots, too.

"Girls were first because when someone makes a vaccine they go to the FDA-- the Food and Drug Administration-- and they have to have studies to show why it's indicated and the initial studies were real clear showing that it prevented cervical cancer and it also prevented genital warts. So they went really with the focus of preventing cervical cancer in girls. And then over time there's been more studies that have shown that it also prevents cancers in boys as well as girls," said Christine Finley of the Vermont Health Department.

Besides the genital tract cancers in girls, Finley says there are thousands of other cancers of the head, neck and other body parts also caused by HPV. And the vast majority of those cancers are covered by the vaccine. Like federal officials, Vermont health officials encourage parents to immunize their sons and daughters at an early age.

"We found the immunoresponse is stronger in the younger groups, but also it's more effective if you can vaccinate before they've been exposed to it because it not protective after the exposure," Finley said.

But immunizing kids against a sexually transmitted virus has been controversial and there's been hesitation nationwide on the part of parents to get their girls vaccinated. Although half of all adolescent females in Vermont have received one dose of HPV, just 39 percent have had all three doses required for protection. So are health officials optimistic that the state's male population will roll up their sleeves more readily?

"I actually think that we'll see it more when it's a male and female," Finley said. "I think it's an understanding that it's a common virus that's out there. It occurs shortly after the onset of sexual activity. It causes cancer and you can prevent it."

Finley expects the state will work to expand its education and awareness efforts regarding the importance of HPV vaccine, not only for girls, but now, for boys as well.

The state of Vermont provides all vaccines-- including HPV-- to all children in the state up to age 18. That includes those who have health insurance and those who do not.