Mobeen Rathore: The HPV vaccine is
designed primarily to protect women
against cervical and vaginal cancers. In
addition, it affords protection against
penile cancers and laryngeal papillomas
(a medical condition in which benign
tumors grow along the aerodigestive tract).
Therefore, the vaccine is most beneficial if given prior to
the time a woman becomes sexually active. For the same
reason, males also need to be protected from HPV with
the use of the HPV vaccine.
HPV is not the first vaccine that males are given to
protect females from an infection. The rubella vaccine
(Measles, Mumps and Rubella [MMR] vaccine) has been
used for decades in males. In addition, MMR is also given
to females prior to the time they can become pregnant.
The ultimate goal is to protect the fetus from getting
rubella and the dreaded and devastating congenital
rubella syndrome (which can result in miscarriages,
stillbirths and a host of severe birth defects).
Unfortunately some have associated HPV as a vaccine to
protect against a sexually transmitted disease (it does
that, too) but it is really a cancer-protecting vaccine
very much like the hepatitis B vaccine. That is why HPV
vaccine has become unnecessarily controversial.
What is the purpose, benefits and risk of the
Hepatitis A vaccine? Why has this become
highly suggested?
Meredith Brazell: Hepatitis A is a
disease that can cause liver failure and
death but can also cause fever, nausea,
vomiting, stomach pains and diarrhea
for up to six months. It occurs when a
person drinks water or eats food that
was contaminated by the fecal matter of
another person infected with hepatitis A.
People can also contract this virus through unprotected
oral or anal intercourse. Just last month, Florida
declared a “Public Health Emergency” to alert the
public about this serious illness and prevent the spread
of Hepatitis A. The best way to prevent the spread of
Hepatitis A is through vaccination. The vaccine is a two
dose series with the second dose to be given at least six
months after the first dose in order to provide long-term
immunity from HAV infection. Children are routinely
vaccinated between their first and second birthdays and
those who have not been vaccinated can also receive
two doses. The most common side effects are soreness
or redness near vaccine site, fever, headache and
sometimes fainting (it is recommended to sit 15 minutes
after the vaccine to prevent this). Please see the Vaccine
Information Statement on Hepatitis A from the CDC for
more information.
Mobeen Rathore: The hepatitis A
vaccine protects against hepatitis A
infection (a viral liver disease that
can cause mild to severe illness). It
is often much more severe in adults
than in children. Hepatitis A vaccine is
recommended for all children at one year
of age so that they don’t get the infection later in life
and become more seriously ill with conditions such as
serious liver disease. This vaccine also protects against
outbreaks. Since there is a current ongoing outbreak of
hepatitis A in Florida and some other states, this vaccine
is being highly suggested.
What vaccines are recommended at each
stage of a child’s growth - early childhood,
upon entering school, transitioning to
middle school and entering college?
Meredith Brazell: Most vaccines for
children are given in infancy up to
entering school. These include Hepatitis
B starting within the first 24 hours
after birth. Subsequently, at ages two,
four, and six months old, a child normally
receives the remaining doses of Hepatitis
B along with Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping
cough), Polio, Pneumonia vaccine, Haemophilus
influenzae, and Rotavirus (responsible for diarrhea – an
oral medication). From a year old to four years old, they
will be vaccinated against Measles, Mumps, Rubella,
Varicella (chicken pox), and Hepatitis A along with
finishing up the series of vaccines given as an infant.
The next big round of vaccines occurs when the child is
around middle school age of 11 years old when they get
a booster of Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertusis along with
the Meningitis vaccine covering strains ACWY and their
HPV (Gardasil) Vaccine. At 16, before entering college,
children are then due for a second Meningitis vaccine
covering ACWY along with another that covers strain B
(MenB).
Mobeen Rathore: Childhood vaccines
are recommended at particular ages
so that the children can be protected
before they are at risk for those
infections and also because the vaccines
have been proven safe and effective
at those ages. The Centers for Disease
Control (CDC)/American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
schedule is researched and based in best science. There
is not “alternate” schedule other than what CDC/
AAP schedule. All other immunization schedules are
“dangerous” schedules for children.
Dr. Meredith Brazell, DO , Dr. Brazell is a
Pediatrician at Flagler Health+ Primary Care and Pediatrics
at Palencia
Mobeen Rathore, MD, Chief , Dr. Rathore is Chief
of Pediatric Infectious Disease and Immunology at Wolfson
Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville.
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