Does Human Papilloma Virus vaccine reduce my child's risk of hospitalization and death when received in accordance to the Center of Disease Control recommendations?

Question:

Does Human Papilloma Virus vaccine reduce my child’s risk of hospitalization and death when received in accordance to the Center of Disease Control recommendations?

Answer:

No

MedHead Confidence Score: 1

Amount Saved: $400 for cost of vaccine series post

Med-O-Meter

MedHead Message:

This is highly controversial. While the HPV vaccine does significantly reduce precancerous lesions, and somewhat lowers risk of cervical cancer, it seems like there are no data whatsoever on mortality benefit with the HPV vaccine. The older vaccines have shown that lives are saved, but there are none for HPV. Sure, they will help reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, but cervical cancer death rates are already low from a pap test screening, which recommendations are entirely independent of whether your daughter gets the HPV vaccine or not. We will update this recommendation as soon as they can show a mortality benefit for the HPV vaccine. Until then, save your money. $400 will get you a round trip ticket to just about anywhere in the US, and possibly Hawaii, compliments of MedHead.

References:

1. Roush SW1, Murphy TV; Vaccine-Preventable Disease Table Working Group. Historical comparisons of morbidity and mortality for vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. JAMA. 2007 Nov 14;298(18):2155-63