Opposing Viewpoints Special Discussion Forum

THere is growing concern for HPV vaccination for all people especially the women of reproductive age. Human Pappiloma Virus is the causal agent for cancer of the cervix in females and genital warts in both sexes. Though the virus can be acquired through casual contact, the types causing genital infections are mostly transmitted through sexual intercourse. The vaccines linked to the HPV virus are Gardasil and Cervarix. They are effective in preventing the two strains of HPV (HPV-16 and HPV-18) that are linked to most of the cervical cancer. Cancer cases are difficult to treat, but prevention is fruitful and successful (National Network for Immunization Information, 2010). There are ample rationales as to why the vaccination should be carried on not only nationally, but also worldwide.

The population of the world under the invasion of cervical cancer is increasing with each year. HPV virus is linked to the increase in the population of individuals with oral and neck cancers due to the increase in instances of oral sex. With the vaccine having been proofed to combat to prevent over 80% of cervical cancer cases, it use will help to decline the cases of cancer in the world. In the United State, about 10,000 women are established to have cervical cancer each year and out of these, 3700 die (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010).

In the United State of America, the General Assembly, in 2007, agreed to ensure that all girls are vaccinated with the HPV vaccine before entering their sixth grade. On the same vein, the medics have campaigned for vaccination of girls and boys at the age of 11-12 years for better protection. The pre-teen age is preferred so as to help the person develop immunity before first sexual contact. The vaccine is administered thrice over a period of 6 months. However, where the girls get the two vaccines i.e. Gardasil and Cervarix, boys are vaccinated with Gardasil only to prevent warts and anal cancer. This will also reduce the prevalence of carrier host among the men. This is a consolidated view that should be supported by individuals who have the interest of the next generation at heart. Having the law in place and the positivity of the vaccine, it is thus essential to support the continuation of vaccination to eradicate the conditions caused by the HPV virus (National Network for Immunization Information, 2010).

The numbers of adverse effects associated with the vaccine are insignificant (Colgrove, 2006). There are not lives threatening cases that have been reported to have arisen from the vaccines administration. Therefore, the risk associated with failure to receive the vaccine and the associated adverse effect after receiving vaccination cannot be compared. This proves the point that the vaccine should be made mandatory to help to reduce the cases of infection. It is worth noting that the vaccine is effective before acquiring the virus; otherwise, it does not help to prevent the cancer in already infected individual (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010). This is the reason why immunizing the women before they are sexually active is crucial.

There are fears of miss behaving where women who have received the vaccine are feared to be immoral. However, these claims have not been proven and are thus just speculation and social misguide. According to sociologist Fitzgerald (2009), the benefits of implementing the program outweigh the social speculation of immorality. The number of individuals benefiting from the program exceeds those who can be misguided to engage in unsafe sex, in that name of being protected. The vaccination is only meant to prevent strains of HPV but not all sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, counseling on safe sex and single sex partner is also recommended (Colgrove, 2006).

The cost of the vaccination has been reduced through offering the vaccine in school. The school vaccination program ensures that the vaccine is offered in combination with other vaccines, hence, reduce cost. Moreover, with time, the diseases caused by the virus will reduce hence saving the population the financial burden of managing these diseases. Diseases that will reduce with HPV vaccination, include genital warts, cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancers, neck and oral cancers (Constantine & Jerman, 2007).

The above points show the reason why the vaccine should be supported. In all angles of the society set up; politically, economically, socially, religiously and culturally, the vaccination will amount to significant benefits.