HPV vaccination available at Vance clinic

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. (Dr.) Michael D. Landes
  • 71st Medical Group Chief of Medical Staff
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  What is Human Papillomavirus?

HPV is a virus you may not know much about - but you should.

The virus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States which can affect males and females of all ages. HPV usually clears on its own but not for all.

This viral infection can lead to cervical, vaginal, vulvar and anal cancers and genital warts.

Bottom-line -- there is no way to predict who will or won't clear the virus, develop venereal warts or develop cancer.

Currently there is no HPV test recommended for men. Most men who carry this virus do not develop symptoms. None the less they can transmit this infection to their partners. As a result, the focus is on prevention. Prevention includes safe sexual practices and vaccination.

There is no cure for HPV. Therefore the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the Gardasil vaccination for both males and females between the ages of 9 and 26 to help protect against the types of HPV that cause most infections.

Gardasil works by preventing four common HPV types -- two that can cause genital warts and two that can cause cancers.

Vaccination consists of a series of three injections and is available at the 71st Medical Group Immunization Clinic. No appointment is necessary. The hours of operation are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on training days the second and fourth Thursday of the month when the Clinic closes at 2 p.m.

The Medical Group's chief of medicine encourages all beneficiaries, ages 9 to 26, to take advantage of this service at the earliest possible convenience.

For more information, contact the Immunization Clinic, 213-7209, or visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/.