Vaccines

HPV VACCINE

Genital HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another through direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.  Most sexually active people will get HPV at some time in their lives, though most will never even know it.  HPV infection is the most common in people in their late teens and early 20s.  There about 40 types of HPV that can infect the genital areas of men and women.  Most HPV types cause no symptoms and go away on their own but some types can cause an increase risk of cancer in certain women.  To prevent this, HPV vaccination is recommended for 11 to 12 year old girls.  It is also recommended for girls and women 13-26  years of age that have not been previously vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is licensed by the FDA.  The CDC has approved this vaccine as safe and effective and has been studied in thousands of people around the world.  It should provide life long immunity.  

VACCINE COUNSELING

At your annual wellness visit, the medical assistant and provider with review with you which vaccines are appropriate for your stage of life.