Medical professionals in Lancaster County and across the country are using Teen Immunization week in August to stress the importance of immunizations for all ages, including teenagers.“Human papilloma virus causes almost all of cervical cancer,” said Dr. Alan Peterson, a family physician and board member of the Partnership for Public Health in Lancaster. “Imagine if we could get all adolescents immunized, we could wipe out cervical cancer. That’s correct, a simple shot that prevents cancer.”
Known as the HPV vaccine, it can protect against diseases (including cancers) caused by HPV when given in the recommended age groups and it’s considered extremely safe.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 11 to 12 year olds get two doses of HPV vaccine to protect against cancers caused by HPV.
For more information on the recommendations, please see: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/hpv/public/index.html
