The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended vaccines. The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for children at age 11 or 12 (and potentially as early as age nine), for teens and young adults who have not previously been vaccinated, and for certain other young adults as well.
As with all vaccines, before getting immunized against HPV, it is important to be aware of the potential risks involved. This includes the risks of being diagnosed with HPV, as well as the risks of being diagnosed with another illness or injury as the result of an HPV vaccination. To help parents and other adults make informed decisions about HPV vaccination, the CDC has published a new video series in which doctors answer common questions about the vaccine.
Who Should Get the HPV Vaccine and Why?
In thevideo series, two doctors provide answers to a variety of questions related to who should get the human papillomavirus vaccine and why. In the CDC’s words, “in [the] new video series, real pediatricians use their expertise to answer parents’ questions about the HPV vaccine and why it’s important for preventing cancer.” The six videos in the series are titled:
- Why Do Kids Need HPV Vaccine at Ages 11 and 12?
- Do Boys Need HPV Vaccine?
- Why Do Kids Need Protection Against HPV?
- Can HPV Vaccine Cause Infertility?
- What Diseases are Caused by HPV?
- Does HPV Vaccine Really Prevent Cancer?
The videos are short and to the point; and, for parents who have the questions listed above, they will serve as a good source of trustworthy information. Of course, anyone who has specific concerns about their (or their child’s health) or who has specific questions about whether the HPV vaccine is appropriate for them (or their child) should consult with a doctor directly.
Understanding the Potential Side Effects of the HPV Vaccine
One topic that is not covered in the CDC’s video series is the risk of potential side effects from HPV vaccination. While the risk of side effects is fairly low (only a very small percentage of vaccine recipients experience side effects each year), it is nonetheless a concern of which parents and other adults should be aware. The more-serious side effects associated with the HPV vaccine are (i) anaphylaxis, and (ii) shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA).
For individuals diagnosed with anaphylaxis, SIRVA or any other complication, injury or illness resulting from an HPV vaccination, financial compensation is available through the federal government’s National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP provides no-fault compensation (meaning you do not need to prove that the pharmaceutical companies or your doctor made a mistake), and it pays claimants’ legal fees separately from their awards of financial compensation. Learn more in our>VICP FAQs.
Contact Vaccine Lawyer Leah V. Durant Today
If you believe that you may be entitled to compensation under the VICP (or if you aren’t sure and would like to find out), we encourage you to contact us. To request a free consultation with vaccine lawyer Leah V. Durant, please call 202-800-1711 or send us a message online today.
Leah Durant Bio
Experienced litigation attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. Leah Durant and her staff represent clients and their families who suffer from vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is dedicated to assisting individuals in recovering the highest level of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.