Ajayi 1

Adelola Ajayi

Professor Witte

ENGL 101A

October 14, 2017

HPV Vaccine Benefits and Risks

Cancer, a deadly disease, has detrimental effect on individuals and their families. As of

today, there is no cure for any form of cancer. Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

such as genital warts can be cured with prescription medication or being surgically removed. The

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is an infection that can cause various forms of cancer and genital

warts. To prevent viruses, infections and diseases vaccines are given to individuals to build

immunity against these illnesses. Prevention is important because the effects of HPV can be very

damaging to an individual's health. The Human Papilloma vaccine is given to young women (11-

26 years old) to prevent warts and cervical cancer before they are exposed to the virus through

sexual contact. My sister and I were recently given the HPV vaccine after much deliberation by

my mother. My mother was opposed to us receiving this vaccination because of the controversy

about the vaccine. It appears that the risks outweighed the benefits. Many people believe that the

vaccine had dangerous side effects and would harm an individual rather than help. However,

after my mother received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing and was properly informed about

the vaccination, she determined that we should get the vaccination. It is vital for individuals to

analyze the HPV vaccine before taking it, which led me to ask these specific questions: Are

people who take the HPV vaccine aware of its benefits and risks associated with it? Is the HPV

vaccine detrimental to individuals health? Do the benefits of the HPV vaccine outweigh the

risks or vice versa? What are people's conception on the vaccine and its purpose?
 Ajayi 2
In American society, many people believe that vaccinations cause severe side effects,

which could be prevented if they choose not to take the vaccine in the first place. Human

Papilloma Virus vaccinations however, has received tremendous backlash which has led to

controversy on the purpose of the vaccination. The aim of the vaccination is to produce

immunity; according to MyDr website, The immune cells and antibodies attack viruses and

bacteria or the toxins they produce, stopping them from multiplying and causing disease.

It is believed that there are many risks associated with the HPV vaccine. The vaccination

itself is very costly, for individuals who do not have health insurance. The cost of the vaccine

also increases based on an individual's age. Also, because people are denying the vaccine, only a

limited supply is available which is why people also are deterred from receiving it. According to

Thomas, author of the pediatric nursing journal, Many pediatric offices are limiting their supply

due to poor reimbursement by insurance companies, which puts them at a financial risk

(Johnson, 2007) (Thomas 390). In addition, people do not want to risk having to use their own

money and not be guaranteed the vaccine, because of the limited supply. Thomas explains that,

the federal government can and does provide vaccines for girls and young women who qualify

for Medicaid, but with millions of Americans uninsured, the cost of vaccination is an issue where

attention must be paid (Moore, 2007). Is cost the reason individuals are deterred from the

vaccine or are there other factors impacting their decision?

It is believed that the HPV vaccination itself has side effects, which are viewed as the

main risks of the vaccine and explains why individuals do not want the vaccination. Adolescents

who have received the vaccine stated that they had felt pain after receiving the HPV shot.

Research has found that the majority of parents (65%, 148/229) reported their daughters

experienced pain or discomfort following receipt of HPV vaccine, with pain more commonly
 Ajayi 3
reported at the time of injection (58%, 133/229) than in the hours and days following vaccination

(45%, 102/229) (Table 2). Few parents reported their daughters experienced moderate or severe

pain at the time of injection (10%, 2%) or in the hours or days following vaccination (7%, less

than 1%) (Reiter et.al). From this research it is important that individuals realize that permanent

side effects have not been a direct result of obtaining the HPV vaccination. Young women have

also denied the vaccine because of the controversy around the painful side effects, For this

reason, anecdotal accounts and national media coverage of HPV vaccine side effects, such as

unusually high rates of pain at the injection site and syncope (i.e., fainting), are of serious

concern (Reiter et.al).

Although, the cost of the vaccination is a risk that is associated with obtaining the vaccine it is

not a direct result of receiving the vaccine. A direct risk many individuals believe of obtaining

the vaccination, is promiscuity. They believe that if one gives adolescents vaccines, the

adolescents would feel immune to cervical cancer and genital warts. Therefore, this means that

adolescents would engage in sexual activity because they mistakenly believe they are protected

against these illnesses. As Thomas writes, many research breakthroughs in sexual and

reproductive health have had the additional challenge of facing critics who view these advances

as an excuse to promote sexual promiscuity (Thomas 430). The vaccination may prevent against

cervical cancer and genital warts, but it does not promote reckless sexual behavior. Thomas

further states, Although research has shown that sexual and reproductive health education does

not promote sexual activity or promiscuity (Thomas 430). Would sexual promiscuity really be

considered a risk? Are young women sexual promiscuous because they already were or does the

vaccination promote this? How does the vaccination impact ones health?
 Ajayi 4
It is assumed that the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine also has many benefits for young

women's health. One of the most important benefits would be the vaccinations prevention against

cervical cancer. Cervical cancer affects many young women; the vaccination prevents cervical

cancer for those women who have not yet engaged in sexual activity. According to Thomas,

The prevention of cervical cancer for young women is now available despite income, thus

closing the gap on health care disparities for racial and ethnic minorities. (Thomas 430).

Everyone acknowledges that prevention is better than death. Having cervical cancer can lead to

death but the HPV vaccine can prevent young women from having cervical cancer. As a result,

A vaccine is now available to prevent 70% of cervical cancer resulting from HPV in young

women (Thomas 430). However, are there enough statistics to prove that the vaccine has been

effective?

Overall, HPV vaccine benefits and risks have been a subject of debate for many years.

There are many factors that affect why an individual should receive this vaccination. Perhaps,

young women and adolescents tend to need a parents approval before receiving the vaccination.

However, parents are being misinformed about the vaccine and denying their daughters to

partake. Parents do not want their daughters health to deteriorate because of taking the vaccine.

Yet, the consequences of the disease are believed to be severe. Therefore, Is the HPV vaccine

worth trying? Maybe more studies are needed to determine whether or not the vaccination is

detrimental to a young womens health.

 Ajayi 5

Works Cited

HPV Vaccine Information For Young Women. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 Jan. 2017, www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-

hpv-vaccine-young-women.htm.

Reiter, P. L., et al. "How Much Will it Hurt? HPV Vaccine Side Effects and Influence on

Completion of the Three-Dose Regimen." Vaccine, vol. 27, no. 49, 2009, pp. 6840-6844,

SCOPUS, www.scopus.com, doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.09.016.

Thomas, Tami L. "The New Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: Pros and Cons for Pediatric

and Adolescent Health." Pediatric Nursing, vol. 34, no. 5, Sep/Oct2008, pp. 429-431.

EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=35155803&site=ehost-live.

Vaccination. MyDr.com.au - trusted Australian health and medicines information,

www.mydr.com.au/first-aid-self-care/vaccination.