Controversy Surrounding the HPV Vaccine
Vaccines have always been a popular topic for debate. Regarding the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, also known as the Gardasil injection, many pro-vaxers are still undecided about whether it is a safe option, especially among adolescents. This vaccine was approved in 2006 and has spiked controversy due to the contradicting literature on its risks and side effects (Jaber, 2021). Many parents are undecided about vaccinating their children against the HPV virus due to this uncertainty.
Validity and Statistics
Safety concerns from parents are strong, prompting them to decline the HPV vaccination for their children between the years 2015 to 2018, nearly doubling the number of declinations from previous years (Jaber, 2021). In 2015, 13% of parents cited safety concerns regarding the HPV vaccine; in 2018, that percentage rose to 23% (Jaber, 2021). Coincidently, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a website managed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Federal Drug Administration (FDA), showed a decrease in health issue reporting from the HPV vaccine during the timeframe of 2015-2018 when vaccination administration declined at a higher rate (Jaber, 2021). These findings prompted researchers to look at a correlation between adverse health events and the vaccine the HPV vaccine.
Advantages vs. Disadvantages
The advantage of getting the HPV vaccine is that it protects against six types of cancer caused by HPV: cervical, anal, throat, penile, vaginal, and vulvar (Jaber, 2021). “The 2-dose HPV vaccine for children ages 11 to 12 years provides almost 100% protection against strains affiliated with cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers” (Kopp & Turk, 2023, p.1). Some studies report no evidence linking the HPV vaccine to infertility and autoimmune diseases, but others believe this is untrue. A case series by Blitshteyn et al. (2018) linked a myriad of illnesses to be associated with the HPV vaccine via vaccine-triggered, immune-mediated autonomic dysfunction, such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), small fiber neuropathy (SFN), myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and fibromyalgia. An alternative to combat the disadvantages of the vaccine is to utilize person-specific medicine, which is becoming more widely used in healthcare. Moreover, using adversomics and pharmacogenetics can help providers identify individuals who may be predisposed to adverse events related to the HPV vaccine (Blitshteyn et al., 2018).
Role of APRN in Public Health Education
Many parents are hesitant about whether the vaccine is safe for their children. The advanced practice nurse must provide education on the risks and benefits of getting the HPV vaccine. A strategy known as the presumptive announcement approach allows the provider to ask questions to the caregiver regarding their main concerns and then reattempt if the parent refuses to discuss their apprehension (Kopp & Turk, 2023). CDC guidelines are discussed, and a question-and-answer session is performed (Kopp & Turk, 2023). With this approach, approximately 70% of parents change their minds regarding vaccine administration or will schedule a follow-up appointment (Kopp & Turk, 2023). The APRN can also discuss pharmacogenetic testing if their child has higher risk factors for vaccine-related complications. In short, provider education is a significant factor in allowing the parent to make the most informed decision for their child.
References
Blitshteyn, S., Brinth, L., Hendrickson, J.E., & Martinez-Lavin, M. (2018). Autonomic dysfunction and HPV immunization: An overview. Immunol Res. 2018 Dec;66(6):744-754. doi: 10.1007/s12026-018-9036-1. Erratum in: Immunol Res. 2018 Dec 21;: PMID: 30478703.
Jaber, N. (2021). Parent concerns about HPV vaccine safety increasing. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2021/hpv-vaccine-parents-safety-concerns
Kopp, S.A. & Turk, D.E. (2023). Human papillomavirus vaccinations: Provider education to enhance vaccine uptake. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2023 Jan 19:99228221147850. doi: 10.1177/00099228221147850. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36655653.
The post Week 9 response to Karissa appeared first on My Perfect Tutors.