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Herd Immunity Achieved: HPV Vaccine Protects Even the unvaccinated
Table of Contents
Understanding Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a highly contagious virus spread through skin-to-skin contact. Over 100 different types of HPV exist.Some cause genital warts, while others can cause cancer, including cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and the back of the throat. These cancer-causing types are referred to as “high-risk types.”
The Evolution of the HPV Vaccine
The HPV vaccine was first introduced in 2006. The initial formulations – the 2-valent and 4-valent versions – protected against two and four high-risk HPV types, respectively. The current vaccine, introduced in 2014, is the 9-valent vaccine, protecting against nine high-risk HPV types. This broader protection considerably increases the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing HPV-related cancers and diseases.
Who Should Get the HPV Vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is a recommended vaccination for adolescents, ideally administered at ages 11-12. It can be given as early as age 9 and is now approved for individuals up to age 45. Importantly, the vaccine is now recommended for *everyone* irrespective of biological sex or gender. This worldwide suggestion reflects the understanding that HPV can affect anyone and cause various cancers in both men and women.
Study Shows How HPV Vaccine Offers Protection
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York sought to understand the long-term impact of the HPV vaccine. They conducted six studies with young people in Cincinnati
