Opinion Editorial: HPV Vaccine- Needed by Utah Teens

While the rest of the United States debates the need for a mandatory HPV vaccine, Utah remains relatively silent. Clinical trials show that the HPV vaccination, Gardasil, is 100% effective at protecting against HPV strains 16 and 18, the strains that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases. If these counter measures are available why hasn’t Utah warmed up to the idea?
In theory the HPV vaccine sounds wonderful. It protects against cervical cancer, a devastating illness that the American Cancer Society estimates kills approximately 4,000 U.S women annually. But there has to be something more: why would a caring parent resist protecting their child against cancer later in life? Why would the State Legislature reject a bill that would donate $1 million to the state health department to provide Gardasil for those girls that need it? Parents oppose Gardasil because HPV is a sexually transmitted disease: most parents feel that their child will not engage in risky premature sexual behavior. However, new data shows that Utah teens are sexually active.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Utah has one of the fastest growing rates of chlamydia in the United States. From 2000 to 2005 Utah experienced a 110% increase in the number of chlamydia cases. The number of cases is still below the national average, but if the rate of increase remains constant, Utah will become one of the front-runners for chlamydia within the next ten years. According to the Utah County Department of Health the age group with the highest rates of chlamydia in the state is the 15-24 age group. While this group does include college students a majority of the cases are found in those under 20.Today the connection between chlamydia and HPV is coming to light; the CDC estimates that approximately 46% of women with HPV also have chlamydia.
What does this data mean for parents and Utah lawmakers? It means that the HPV vaccine is needed here in Utah. Condoms are not 100% effective in preventing HPV, but the vaccine is. Here in Utah, like other states, teens are having sex, many without their parents’ knowledge. even more importantly, teens are contracting sexually transmitted diseases that can impact their health later in life.
Laws are made to protect children against a variety of situations. As parents and lawmakers we need to take action to bring another bill before the Utah State Legislature that will provide funding for adequate education, prevention and vaccination against HPV and cervical cancer.