What You Need to Know About HPV Vaccine Safety

Should you get it?
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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is kind of sneaky. It's the most common sexually transmitted infections — one in four people have it — but it often doesn't have any symptoms and can go away on its own. That said, certain forms of HPV can also lead to cancer. That's why doctors recommend all patients between ages 11 and 26 get the HPV vaccine, which can prevent the cancer-causing strains of HPV. Still, studies show some parents opt their children out of this shot because of concerns over its safety. While there are risks to getting any vaccine, Rebecca Donn, Associate Director of Quality Management and Clinical Services at Planned Parenthood of New York City, says the benefits far outweigh the risks — and that's backed by science.

According to a study presented at the Annual Society of Gynecologic Oncology Meeting in National Harbor, concern about the HPV vaccine topped the list of reasons people opt out in both 2010 and 2014.

“Our results demonstrate that safety and perceived lack of necessity, as well as lack of knowledge, make up 50% of the reason why parents don’t initiate HPV vaccination,” Anna Beavis, M.D., a gynecologic oncology fellow at Johns Hopkins Hospital, said according to a news release.

Donn told Teen Vogue evidence shows the HPV vaccine is both safe and effective — meaning it's worth it.

“At Planned Parenthood, our care is based on evidence-based standards. The HPV vaccine – as well as all of the services Planned Parenthood provides – are recommended by the nation’s leading reproductive health care providers as an important way to help protect against strands of HPV that can cause cervical cancer," she said.

There are some potential side effects, Donn said, but they're minimal and the same as many other vaccines.

"It’s important to note that studies have shown that the HPV vaccine is safe," she said. "The most common side effects, if any, are soreness, redness, or swelling around the area where the shot is administered. These symptoms are temporary and pass on their own without treatment.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the HPV vaccine is typically not associated with any serious side effects, and it's undergone years of testing. On top of that, it's closely monitored (like all vaccines) to ensure continuing safety.

It's always important to make informed decisions, and, with your doctor's guidance, making this decision could help you have a a cancer-free future.

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