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HPV Vaccine is Cancer Prevention

#UCanStopHPV

HPV is short for Human Papillomavirus, the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Nearly all sexually active men and women get HPV at some point in their lives. HPV infections can cause cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar and oropharyngeal cancers. In the United States each year, there are about 17,000 women and 9,000 men affected by HPV-related cancers.   Many of these cancers could be prevented with vaccination.  Fortunately, safe and effective vaccines that prevent most HPV infections are recommended and available for boys and girls at 11-12 years of age. To be fully protected, three doses of HPV vaccine are required.

Below, you will find links with important information about HPV and the HPV vaccine. For more information, talk to your healthcare provider or call 311.

HPV Basics

For information on HPV infections:  http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm

For information about HPV vaccine: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hpv/vac-faqs.htm

For information on HPV related cancers in men: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/expert-answers/HPV/FAQ-20057761

Further information on cervical cancer: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervicalcancer/index

Watch a video from a victim of an HPV related cancer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw65aQlyalQ&list=UUH9U2Bzd2Lz6Gb-Q_Pda9IA

If you do not have a healthcare provider or if your healthcare provider does not have HPV vaccine, CDPH Fast Track clinics offer all routinely recommended vaccines for children 0-18 years of age. Appointments are not necessary; vaccinations are given on a first come, first served basis.

Greater Lawn WIC 4150 W. 55th Street Phone: 312.747.5416 Hours of Operation: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Closed 2nd Wed every month 12 to 4 pm

Lower West WIC 1643 W. Cermak Phone: 312.747.1650 Hours of Operation: Thursdays & Fridays: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Roseland Community WIC 11255 S. Michigan Phone: 773.785.1173 Hours of Operation: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Closed 2nd Wed every month 12 to 4 pm

Englewood Neighborhood Health Center 641 W. 63rd St., Lower Level Phone: 312.745.1000 Hours of Operation: Thursdays: 10:30 am - 5:30 pm

Uptown Neighborhood Health Center 845 W. Wilson Ave., Lower Level Phone: 312.742.3227 Hours of Operation: Mondays & Fridays: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Thursdays: 10:30 am– 5:30 pm

 

Healthcare Providers

Low HPV vaccination rates are leaving another generation of boys and girls vulnerable to devastating HPV cancers. Vaccination could prevent most of these cancers. Recommend the HPV vaccine series to your 11 and 12 year old patients the same way you recommend other adolescent vaccines (e.g., MCV and Tdap). Below you can find other helpful tips and information.

Tools for your practice

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/who/teens/for-hcp/hpv-resources.html

Handouts for your patients

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/who/teens/for-hcp/hpv-resources.html

Tips and Time-savers for Talking with Parents about HPV Vaccinehttp://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/who/teens/for-hcp-tipsheet-hpv.pdf

Special HPV “Needle Tips” from the Immunization Action Coalition http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n58/recommend_hpv.pdf

Additional information from the Immunization Action Coalition http://www.immunize.org/hpv/

HPV related cancer data http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/statistics/

 

Keywords: Cancer Prevention, CDPH, HPV, vaccination

Posted in City of Chicago, Healthcare/Health Resources