Mon.: Noon - 6pm.
Tues.: Noon - 6pm.
Wed.: Closed
Thurs.: Noon - 6pm.
Fri.: Closed
Sat.: Closed
703-354-7272
Assist@AssistCPC.org
5101-D Backlick Road
Annandale, VA 22003
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HPV Vaccine Information
Since Assist Pregnancy Center is not a medical center, we do not diagnose sexually transmitted diseases, nor
do we treat sexually transmitted diseases. We do have referrals to OBGYNs in the Northern Virginia Metro
DC area. If you need testing for STDs (including HPV), check with your OBGYN or primary care physician.
If you have medical insurance, check with the doctor referral line that they provide. Or you can see if your
local public health department offers STD testing.
"HPV" stands for
"Human Papilloma Virus",
which is a sexually transmitted disease which often has no symptoms.
A few quick facts about the HPV Vaccine:
- The HPV vaccine is not a vaccine against cervical cancer, but rather a vaccine against
a sexually transmitted disease (HPV) that has been found to cause cervical cancer.
- The vaccine does not protect the person from all strains of HPV that have been found to
cause cervical cancer. As with all vaccines, this vaccine may not protect everyone.
- This vaccine will not protect you against HPV types to which you may have already been
exposed.
- The vaccination has only been proven to be effective on those who have never been
exposed to the four strains of HPV it protects against.
- There are over 100 HPV strains. The vaccination is only effective against two strains
that have been linked to cervical cancer. Together, these two strains make up 70% of
cervical cancer cases, which still leaves the possibility of someone getting the disease
even with the vaccination.
- The vaccination will not prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually
transmitted diseases.
- At this point, there has only been enough reserach to show vaccine effectiveness for up
to five years. Therefore, making a decision to vaccinate a young girl at the age of 9, 10 or
11 years of age would more than likely not be helpful for the purpose of her being immune
should she marry a man with HPV. By being vaccinated at such a young age, she would probably
need at least a booster shot before getting married. And since the vaccine is proved to be
effective if administered by the age of 26, the young woman will have time as a young adult
to make the decision for herself if she choose (although some studies show a greater effectiveness
for those taking it before age 16).
Further information:
- http://health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/2291/ (accessed August 2, 2006)
- http://www.merck.com/products/usa/pi_circulars/g/gardasil/gardasil_ppi.pdf (accessed August 2, 2006)
- http://www.pharmaceutical-business-review.com/article_news.asp?guid=74DC330C-363D-43CF-A0DD-671A28CA5D49
(accessed August 2, 2006)
- http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200660912016 (accessed September 29, 2006)
- http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=LH06B03&v=PRINT (accessed August 2, 2006)
- http://www.family.org/cforum/pdfs/fosi/abstinence/MS006_FOF_Position_Statement_Human_Papillomavirus_Vaccine_01-19-2006.pdf
(accessed August 2, 2006)
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