Free The HPV Vaccine Should Be Mandatory For Entrance To Public School Argumentative Essay Example

Argumentative Essay:

Abstract
HPV stands for human papillomavirus and it has about 150 types of related viruses. Some HPV types lead to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers in the world and this can be addressed by HPV vaccines, the most common of which are Gervasiland Cervarix.
This paper argues that "if the United States required the HPV vaccine for all preteens, the continuing success of the vaccine would be demonstrated by the lower rates of cervical cancer and sexually transmitted infections." Counter arguments were also presented in this essay. In conclusion, the paper stress the need to prevent cervical cancer by addressing it early on, through HPV vaccinations en mass in public schools.

Introduction

HPV stands for human papillomavirus and it refers to a group of about 150 types of related viruses (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Some HPV types lead to cervical cancer. There are over 40 types of HPV that can infect the male and female genitals. These types of HPVs are transmitted to anothe person through intimate close skin contact (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Hence, it is one of the most common STI (sexually transmitted infections). It is passed on by sexually active people but an infected person may or may not show any signs or symptoms (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Hence, a person who has a sexual contact with a person with HPV may or may not know it since the symptoms may appear sevaral years later.
At present, there are about 79 million cases of HPV cancer in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). It threatens about 14 million people new cases every year. HPV is very common that most sexually-active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. Likewise, over 10,000 females in the United States acquire cervical cancer each year. This is a very threatening health scenario if not addressed properly and urgently contained. Other health concerns linked to HPV include genital warts and there are about 360,000 persons in the United States who get genital warts annually (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015).
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015) pointed out, about 21,000 of HPV-related cancers could be prevented by getting the HPV vaccine every year. Health authorities and government agencies should secure the people since cancer usually takes several years to develop after a person gets HPV. Another cause for alarm is that people do not know if they have the HPV virus or if they will develop cancer or other health problems later on. Usually, individuals of weak immune systems (particularly those with HIV/AIDS) may be less able to counter HPV and more likely to develop health problems from it. This is a major concern for peolpe who are poor and who have nutritional deficiencies.

Main Argument

According to the Britannica Online Encyclopedia (2015), HPV types 16 and 18 are the major HPV types causing cervical cancer. As cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women globally, it is best to be countered by HPV vaccines. The HPV vaccine is said to be most effective when given to 11 and 12 years old females as a series of three injections for a period of six months (Britannica Online Encyclopedia, 2015). Hence, it is best to be given to all pre teens.
This pape argues that "if the United States required the HPV vaccine for all preteens, the continuing success of the vaccine would be demonstrated by the lower rates of cervical cancer and sexually transmitted infections." As the National Cancer Institute (2015) said, the spread of the HPV vaccines can prevent more than two thirds of cervical cancer cases worldwide. At present, Gardasil and Cervarix are the two main brands of HPV vaccines. They treat are only six types of HPV viruses. Research are on going for some vaccines to fight the other strands of HPV viruses.
If the best fight against this virus is vaccination, then the U.S. government must see to it that the young children aged 11 to 12 years old are vaccinated. Research studies show that getting the HPV vaccines during these times are the best protection for the children, especially females (Stokley, et. al., 2014). According to Ruland (2011), the vaccine is best given when the recipient has not yet had any prior sexual activity with another person. Also, the HPV vaccine is most effective too when the recipient is not yet exposed to any HPV virus. While this is ideal to be injected to girls 11 years old and above, the HPV vaccines can be given to in girls as young as 9 years old (Ruland, 2011). Girls above pre teens years can still receive the HPV vaccines if they have not yet received it in their early days. Males aged 9 years old and above can receive the HPV vacines for the best results as well.

Counter Argument

There are various counter arguments to the giving out of HPV vaccines to children aged 11 to 13 years old. As Stokley, et. al. (2014) reiterated in their study, while the vaccine coverage increased from 2006 until 2013, it was not clear whether it has been effective. There were various problems related to the administration of the HPV vaccines. Primarily, there was a knowledge gaps among parents. While parents were increasingly recommended for vaccinations of HPV virus, their family clinicians did not stress the same recommendations (Stokley, et. al., 2014). This also reflects the knowledge gap among clinicians. They have yet to enforce an all out prevention against the HPV virus and they have not yet acknowledged the HPV vaccines as the number one defense line against this cervical cancer infecting virus.
Another argument against this is the lack of foundational support confirming the strong relationship between HPV vaccination and the prevention of genetial warts and cervical cancer. According to Stokley, et. al. (2014), there are incomplete vaccination histories from the data of 2006 to 2013 to prove the effectiveness of the cases of pre teen vaccination to cervical cancer prevention. The authors acknowledge the slow pace of development in the HPV vaccinations.

Conclusion and Recommendation

As a conclusion, this paper instills the urgency to launch a nationwide campaign against the HPV virus and the promotion of preventive measures to fight HPV causing cancer types. This must be accomplished by synchronizing a nationwide program suhc as an HPV vaccination to all American pre teens, particularly those in the public schools. The U.S. government must strengthen its efforts and initiatives to partner with state and local government units to accomplish the total vaccinations of pre teens, especially those in the public schools. This is because these children are more prone to getting the dreaded virus because of their weak immune systems and their nutritional deficiencies. Another reason is their economic conditions, that even when their parents were recommended to secure the HPV vaccines for their children, they might not be able to afford it. As Stokley, et. al (2014) put it, collaborative initiatives remain critical in promoting HPV vaccination nationwide. This shall ensure that the nation’s younger generation are protected against HPV virus, which might lead to genital warts, cervical cancer and other serious diseases.

References:

Britannica Online Encyclopedia. (2015). “Gardasil.” Retrieved on Febraury 14, 2015 from, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1275340/Gardasil.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). “What is HPV?” Retrieved on February 14, 2015 from, http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/.
National Cancer Institue. (2015). Preventing Cervical Cancer: Teh Development of HPV Vaccines. Retrieved on February 14, 2015 from, http://www.cancer.gov/about nci/servingpeople/cancer-research-progress/discovery/hpvvaccines.
Ruland, C. M. (2011). Human Pappilomavirus (HPV) Vaccine. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Excelsior College Library’s OneSearch.
Stokley, Shannon, et. al. (2014). Human Pappilomavirus Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents, 2007-2013, and Postlicensure Vaccine Safety Monitoring, 2006-2014 – United States. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. July 25, 2014, 63(29): 620-4.