Dear Parent or Guardian of Walnut Valley Unified School District Student:
As a parent or guardian, we know how important your child’s health is to you. That’s why we want to share information about human papillomavirus (HPV) and an effective way to protect your child from the cancers it can cause through immunization.
What is HPV?
HPV is a very common virus that 8 out of 10 people will get at some point in their lifetime. Some HPV infections can lead to cancer later in life.
HPV is estimated to cause about 37,000 cases of cancer in men and women every year in the U.S. – that’s the same as the average attendance for a major league baseball game!
Only cervical cancer, one of the cancers caused by HPV, can be detected early with a Pap test. The other cancers caused by HPV (cancers of the throat, genitals, or anus) may not be detected until they are more serious. HPV vaccination prevents infections that cause these cancers.
How can I protect my child from HPV?
HPV vaccination can prevent over 90% of cancers caused by HPV. HPV vaccines are very safe, and scientific research shows that the benefits of HPV vaccination far outweigh the potential risks. With more than 135 million doses given in the U.S. since 2006, HPV vaccine has a long safety record that’s backed by over 15 years of monitoring. Common side effects are mild and get better within a day or two. These include pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given, similar to other vaccines.
HPV vaccination works extremely well. Since HPV vaccination was first recommended in 2006, infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers have dropped 88% among teen girls and 81% among young adult women.
Vaccination against HPV is recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. It’s also recommended by the American Cancer Society and California’s Cancer Prevention Act.
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Who should get the vaccine and when should they get it?
Because the vaccine is more effective when given at younger ages, two doses of HPV vaccine are recommended for all kids between the ages of 9 to 12 years, and the second dose should be given before the start of 8th grade.
(Kids who wait until later to get their first dose of HPV vaccine may need three doses.) The HPV vaccine is often given at the same time as other adolescent vaccines, like Tdap to prevent whooping cough and meningococcal vaccine to prevent bacterial meningitis.
Where can I get the HPV vaccine for my child?
Ask your health care provider, pharmacist, or local health department to learn more about HPV vaccine and where you can get it. The vaccine is covered by most health insurance plans. If you don’t have health insurance, your child can still get vaccinated. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program offers free vaccines to children up to age 18 years without insurance or whose insurance does not cover the cost of vaccines.
Ask your healthcare provider or local health department about VFC, or learn more here. Find doctors participating in VFC in your area.
For more information on HPV, the vaccine, and cancer prevention, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sincerely,
Office of Student Services,
Walnut Valley Unified School District