Jenny McCarthy, vaccine deniers, and sensible people all over the world will be forced to rejoice based on new numbers from the CDC that show that human papillomavirus (HPV) has been largely put in check by vaccinations.
Vaccinations on the up, HPV on the down
U.S. teenage women/girls are considerably less likely to play host to the HPV virus following state-mandated and voluntary vaccinations introduced in 2006 according to a new study published today in the journal Pediatrics.
The study, looked at data from 2012 and showed that, in a mere six years, HPV was largely but to bed in teenage girls between the age of 14 to 19 with a decrease of over 63%. In women between the ages of 20 to 24 the virus’ numbers declined by 34% over the same time period.
The HPV vaccine, quite simple, “is a very effective vaccine,” said lead study author Dr. Lauri E. Markowitz.
Culling the data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the researchers found a massive drop in HPV infections. The data compared the years between 2003 and 2006 to the numbers of 2009 and 2012 following the widespread introduction of the vaccine in 2006.
The numbers are truly staggering. To walk that back a bit, the numbers are about what you would expect from a vaccine. When was the last time you had the measles? From the turn of the century to 2006, roughly 11.5% of girls 14 to 19 were infected with HPV. Following the virus’ introduction in 2006 that number dropped to 4.3% in testing of girls the same age from 2009 and 2012.
Genital warts and cancer
HPV seems harmless. Generally speaking, clinical cases of HPV are rare. However, if you’re trying to keep a clean sheet on your sexually transmitted disease curriculum vitae HPV IS pernicious. In particular, HPV16 and HPV18 are known to cause around 70% of cervical cancer cases. While this may not affect men and while male to female transmission is rare, you still don’t want to be that guy.
When we speak of a vaccine, we’re actually speaking of three vaccines, each introduced in 2006. The bivalent vaccine by definition attacks two strains of the virus while its shortly followed compatriot in 2006 targeted four separate strains. 2014 saw the introduction of a 9-valent HPV vaccine that, while targeting the same four strains, added five to its ability to help.
The effectiveness of HPV vaccinations shouldn’t come as a terrific surprise. It’s what vaccines do, they greatly reduce the danger caused by viruses and other diseases. It was cold this winter for many, but it doesn’t change the fact that global warming exists and exists as a consensus in the scientific community.
Giving your sixteen year old son a bottle of Chivas Regal and your car keys is stupid. Failing to vaccinate your child should be grounds for prosecution. Outside of a former Playboy Playmate’s opinion and those seeking the Republican nomination there is no scientific evidence that backs up the link between vaccination and autism and other disorders.
The CDC currently recommends the HPV vaccine for girls and boys at 11 or 12 years of age, administered in three doses over six months and the organization is spot on with this one. Disneyland isn’t cheap, but getting measles makes it more expensive.
The anti-vaccine movement in the United States has largely and thankfully slowed based on studies like the one published today.
