Dacy Gaston NSG 6430

 According to the CDC (2014)  “Human papillomavirus (pap-ah-LO-mah-VYE-rus) (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. Almost every sexually active person will acquire HPV at some point in their lives.” (CDC, 2014)

 HPV (the virus): About 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. About 14 million people become newly infected each year. HPV is so common that most sexually- active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives.  Health problems related to HPV include genital warts and cervical cancer.  Genital warts: About 360,000 people in the United States get genital warts each year.  Cervical cancer: More than 11,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer each year.  (CDC, 2014)

 GARDASIL is a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of HPV  HPV is short for human papillomavirus and is a group of more than 150 related viruses. Each HPV virus in this large group is given a number which is called its HPV type  HPV can cause cervical and other cancers including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. It can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils  Gardasil protects against HPV strains 6,11,16, and 18. (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), 2015)

 In 2006 the FDA Fast Track approved the Vaccine, in order to fast tract approval, the supplier must prove that Gardasil will…  1. Show superior effectiveness to existing treatments  2. Avoid serious side effects of an available treatment  3. Improve the diagnosis of a serious disease where early diagnosis results in an improved outcome.  4. Decrease clinically significant toxicity of an accepted treatment. (Food and Drug Administratin (FDA), 2015)

 The CDC (2014) recommends that the Gardasil vaccine that targets HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 has been licensed in the United States for use in females aged 9–26, and in males aged 9–26 years.  It is a series of three vaccines that need to be followed in order for the vaccine to be effective.  Routine vaccination:  Administer a 3-dose series of HPV vaccine on a schedule of 0, 1-2, and 6 months to all adolescents aged 11 through 12 years. \  Administer the second dose 1 to 2 months after the first dose (minimum interval of 4 weeks); administer the third dose 24 weeks after the first dose and 16 weeks after the second dose (minimum interval of 12 weeks). (CDC, 2014)

 Follow up and completion of the vaccine schedule is important to remember when being the patients healthcare provider. Not only is the vaccine expensive, but when administered out of order the vaccine is not likely to work.  Take into consideration the importance of patient/parent education when deciding to start the Gardasil vaccine. (ACOG, 2015)

 References:  American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2015). Human Papillomavirus Vaccination. Retrieved from Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Adolescent-Health-Care/Human- Papillomavirus-Vaccination?IsMobileSet=true  Centers for Disease Control. (2014). Genital HPV Infection Fact Sheet. Retrieved from  Food and Drug Administration. (2015). Gardasil. Retrieved from 2