The topic of immunization is becoming a contentious issue as of late. The side that argues for it says that every means possible in order to eradicate disease should be utilized, while the side that opposes it maintains that the threat of such diseases is overrated and immunization should be treated as just another option at best. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that the threat of communicable diseases rises by the day, and immunization plays a role in preventing and eliminating their incidences, if not eradicating them completely.
One of the diseases proliferating nowadays is HPV infection. HPV is short for human papillomavirus, a pathogen that is transmitted sexually. Having HPV increases the risk of women getting cervical cancer (“Dr. Marie on Oprah: 80% of Women Get HPV”) and men getting penile cancer. In addition, it is also a significant predictor of anal cancer, among others. There are many variants of HPV—some are transmitted orally, some are contracted anally, and the like. Currently, there are two available vaccines for HPV, one of which can be used by males and females while the other is for females only (“HPV in Men”).
Despite the purported benefits of HPV immunization, the topic remains controversial because it targets the young demographic, the logic being they should be protected from sexual diseases at an early age. I believe that the vaccination of HPV should be promoted, because it is cost-effective in the long run. The fact that teenagers are exposed to sexual activity at an early age cannot be denied, and thus this issue must be worked around rather than denying it. In addition, despite the claims that the HPV vaccines only address two strains out of many, having some form of protection, despite being minimal, should be preferred over having no protection at all. The risks that HPV poses should be made aware of and not to be underestimated, and vaccinating people is one way to do that.
Works Cited
Drmariesavard. “Dr. Marie on Oprah: 80% of Women Get HPV.” YouTube, 13 Jul. 2009, www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlhyVtSphDA&feature=youtu.be.
Rtbrunelle’s channel. “HPV in men.” YouTube, 14 Sep. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSUjYAzN9wI&feature=youtu.be
