Cervical Cancer Vaccine
The Australian Government has approved the use of the Gardasil vaccine by making it available for a nationwide vaccination campaign commencing next year. It will be administered to school girls aged between 12 and 18 and will be available through a GP for women aged up to 26.
Gardasil is a vaccine designed to protect girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted disease in females. HPV is the cause of around 70% of cervical cancers which if not detected early via a pap smear, often results in death.
The Gardasil vaccine is expected to prevent around 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. This is clearly a good thing but what are the risks of the vaccine itself? The problem is that at this stage we don’t know. This vaccine has only recently been approved for use in the United States and is expected to be widely used throughout Europe. Only time will tell whether or not this vaccine has serious side effects or create other health problems.
It is important to note that the vaccine does not protect women who have already been infected with HPV so sexually active women should continue their annual Pap smear even after having been vaccinated.
The potential or unknown health risks have led many people to be wary about the vaccine and others are using outright scare tactics to discourage people from using the vaccine. Others give a balanced commentary as to why young girls and women should get this vaccine.
For more information on the cervical cancer vaccine, contact your GP or call the East Perth Medical Centre.
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