Controversial vaccine gets second shot with recommendation for boys too
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JACKSON, Tenn. — While parents scramble to make sure their kids have the required vaccinations for the new school year, the Centers for Disease Control is asking parents to consider an optional vaccine that’s sparked some controversy. It recommends the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for both girls and boys. “I don’t think about getting them vaccinated for HPV,” father of three, Willie Lane said. HPV is only spread through sexual contact. Doctors say boosters like Gardasil can prevent cervical cancer in women. That’s why young girls are encouraged to get the shot. Now, the CDC says boys should vaccinate too. “If they want to recommend that boys get the shot, go ahead and get the shot. Anything that can keep us going healthy and strong I agree with,” medical student, Kenneth Hollis, said. Jackson Pediatric Nurse Carmine Carroll says a lot of males are carriers for the virus and don’t know because they don’t have regular check-ups like women. Lane says he doesn’t want to vaccinate his sons. “My children aren’t sexually active and I feel as though when they’re of age, they will let me know and I will have them make that decision upon themselves,” he said. The CDC says if boys get vaccinated it could prevent genital warts as well as some of the mouth and throat cancers linked to HPV. “The most important thing is for us to give them the vaccine before they’re sexually active before they’re even exposed to HPV because that will give you more coverage,” Carroll said. Some insurance companies pay for the HPV vaccine. Free or discounted shots are also offered through the health department depending on your income. The CDC reports more than 9,000 cases each year of men diagnosed with HPV related cancers. For women, there are more than 12,000 diagnosed with cervical cancer annually in the United States.
