Information recently reported in newspapers as diverse as The Omaha World Herald and The Washington Post indicates that there is a new and expanded use for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Although there is no reason that older patients are tested for this marker, there are a growing number of cases of throat and neck cancer that can be traced back to the HPV virus.
The federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) uses a far from mathematical equation to encourage vaccination against HPV in adolescents, but there are a number of indicators that this vaccine would be beneficial to other age groups as well. In younger people, the vaccine involves two shots and offers protection against six types of cancer. Although the CDC recommends two doses of the vaccine at least six months apart for boys and girls in the age range of 11 to 12 years old, the vaccination can actually be given to patients as early as age nine. Adolescents who receive two doses less than five months apart will also require a third dose of the vaccine. In comparison, young adults and teens who start the series between ages 15 and 26 need will also require three doses of HPV vaccine. As more and more cases of neck and throat cancer are reported, last fall the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved extending the vaccine for use in women and men in the 27 through 45 age group.
This same vaccine, which protects against nine strains of HPV, is considered most effective when given before patients become sexually active, but while older people may have been exposed to some types, most have not been exposed to all nine types, so the vaccine can still be effective with this older age group.
The Vaccination Debate Is Increasingly Frustrating to Many People
All of the vaccine storage refrigerators in the world will not serve a purpose if people do not get the recommended vaccines. As the U.S. deals with at least 107 measles cases confirmed across 21 states in the last six months, it is no wonder that industries that develop new technology for the best vaccine storage refrigerators are still shaking their heads. Vaccine refrigerator freezers, pharmaceutical grade refrigerators, benchtop freezers, and other technologies can help keep this world safe, but none of these technologies are of any help if the vaccinations are not administered.
Vaccines have been saving lives for more than 300 years. In 1796, in fact, Edward Jenner developed the arm-to-arm inoculation against smallpox. This revolutionary vaccine technique involved taking material from a blister of someone infected with cowpox and injecting it into another person’s skin. Since that time, there are a number of other vaccines that have made our world a safer place. There are many people who would argue, however, that all of these vaccinations will be to no avail if the unfounded hysteria over vaccination fears continue to expand.
Unfortunately, nearly 24 million children today around the world do not have access to the routine vaccine series they should receive before they turn 12 months old. With the help of the best vaccine storage refrigerators and other technologies, in combination with a well informed public, can help erase the number of children who do not yet have access to the life saving vaccines that they need.
