Study: HPV Vaccine Reduces Teen Infections; But Latino Teens Have Low Vaccine Rates

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The HPV vaccine cut the rate of infections of strains of the human papillomavirus, which causes nearly all cervical cancers, by 56% in teens and young adults, according to a new study in the Journal of Infectious Disease, NBC Latino reports.

The finding has special relevance for Latinas, who have the highest rates of HPV-associated cervical cancer.

Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina, professor at the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, told NBC Latino that the study was “good news” but that work continues to be needed to promote the vaccine and its three-dose series to prevent cervical cancer among Latinos.

She said only 40% of girls in the predominantly Latino region of South Texas receive the vaccine, falling far short of the federal goal of 80% vaccination:

“We are falling short of the national goal because of lack of access and care, as well as misinformation concerning the vaccine,” notes Dr. Parra-Medina, who runs a community health program in the lower Rio Grande Valley to teach women about cervical cancer prevention through the HPV vaccine. “But it’s important for parents to know that the vaccine is the primary means of preventing HPV. The only way it will work is it we immunize before there’s any chance that the child has had exposure – that’s we are recommending it as early as eleven.”

And there are appropriate ways for parents to discuss HPV prevention with their child, says Dr. Parra-Medina, noting that many parents shy away from discussing sexually transmitted infections with pre-teens and young children.

Try explaining that the vaccine will help prevent them from getting a disease in the future that can cause cancer, she suggests, and end the conversation with “It’s important that I protect you from that risk.”

“Depending on the child’s maturity level and interest, you can get more detailed over time,” says Dr. Parra-Medina.

Please see our Spanish video on why Latinas should consider getting the HPV vaccine.