Friday, August 21, 2009

HPV Vaccine Encouraged in DC Public Schools

I love dcist.com for its local reporting on issues that matter! In today's Morning Roundup I was pleased to see:

Girls at District Schools Urged to Get HPV Vaccine:
The Post reports that girls entering the sixth grade in District schools are being encouraged to get a vaccine against HPV, which can cause cervical cancer. The vaccine, which was approved by the FDA in 2006, remains controversial, with some opponents arguing that it has not been tested enough and others claiming that it would encourage schoolgirls to have sex earlier. In both the District and Virginia, parents can opt out of having their daughters vaccinated; the District abandoned a plan to make the vaccine mandatory a few years ago.

3 comments:

Rebecca Ryals Russell said...

If our school system made this vaccine mandatory, my kids would be in a private school the next day! My girls are 20 and 18 and I won't let them get the shot (neither are active, either).

WendyM said...

To the best of my understanding, the vaccine is not mandatory, but highly encourage.

Unknown said...

There are actually more than 100 strains of HPV. The vaccine protects you from 4 of the "high risk" types. There are 12 high risk types in total. So many people already have HPV, so for those millions of people out there, the vaccine is of no use. The best option for them is a complete lifestyle overhaul that includes healthy eating and immune building protocols. HPV strikes when the immune system is not working at it's optimal level. Since I was diagnosed with cervical dysplasia from HPV, I've changed my diet to include 6-12 fresh vegetables & fruits daily, cut out sugar and fatty foods, taken pappilex daily for prevention, and started yoga. I no longer show symptoms since my immunity is significantly improved. This is the best system for those of us who are unfortunate enough to already be carriers of the HPV virus.