25-year-old Rachel Parsels is getting vaccinated with Gardasil, a vaccine used to protect against cervical cancer and STD's.
Gardasil is highly recommended for 9 to 12 year-old girls, before the onset of sexual activity, but Rachel falls in the catch-up group.
These are women who are 13 through 26 who may already be sexually active, but experts said the shot can still protect them from other strands of the Human Papilloma Virus or HPV. "I would advise anybody in the age group to get it. I got the shot to prevent cervical cancer and with all the different STD’s and things out there I can protect myself in the future" said Rachel Parsels, vaccine recipient.
Experts said there are 40 types of genital HPV; apart from cervical cancer in women, some can also cause other types of cancer in both men and women.
The Steuben County Health Department said they want to reach out to young adults and help reduce the transmission of the virus.
"Cancer is a very big problem in the United States and if we have a type of cancer that we can prevent, just think about all the women that it’s going to help" said Beverly Butts, Steuben County Public Health Coordinator.
There are two types of HPV vaccines used to protect against cervical cancer. Both are given in a three shot series, but some doctors say the vaccine has its risks.
"There have been 30 to 40 confirmed deaths because of the vaccination. There has also been an increased risk of things like migraine headaches, and neurological disorders, and things that do go along with a lot different vaccinations that can be a concern for many young girls" said Dr. Scott Beres, Doctor of Natural Medicine.
But for some young adults, they said the benefits do outweigh the risks.
"I feel better that I have that protection, it’s just another thing that you are not at risk of getting" said Theresa Latham, vaccinated at 17.
"I look at it as a positive in any aspect; it’s going to help me protect my partner or any of my future partners. I will be more than willing to be vaccinated for H-P-V" said Jason Judge, pro vaccination.
The three set series of the vaccine cost about $300 dollars. The Steuben County Health Department is offering all three shots for free for ages 19 to 26.
For more information on HPV and when you can get vaccinated, click on the links below.
http://www.steubencony.org/phns.html
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hpv/vac-faqs.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/features/HPVvaccineSafety/
