Did you know that Researchers estimate that 75–80 percent of men and women will have the Human PapillomaVirus  (HPV) at some point during their lifetimes? Although the majority of infected people do not develop any symptoms, they can still transmit the disease to others. Many with HPV develop genital warts, cervical cancer, and a variety of other cancers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that because HPV is so common and since we cannot tell who will develop the most serious health conditions from the virus, it is best to vaccinate all kids. The vaccine is recommended for girls ages 11–26 and boys ages 11–21. The best age to receive the vaccine for either boys or girls is 11 or 12.  Ensuring that all children receive the HPV vaccination means eliminating a generation of cervical and other cancers, saving thousands of lives. The CDC estimates that there are 12,000 cases of cervical cancer, resulting in 4,000 deaths, in the United States every year.  Most of these cases can be prevented by vaccination.

Given the health risk of HPV exposure, it is surprising that only 30 percent of American girls are currently vaccinated with a full three-dose course. In contrast, Denmark, Britain, and Rwanda vaccinate at least 80 percent of their girls and boys. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act with no co-pay, cost is no longer a factor for not getting the vaccine.  It behooves us to educate and urge parents and the community to vaccinate all our children.