Summary by Corry Morcos
President Alberta Chapter
REAL Women of Canada
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A talk by Dr. Robert Hauptman, MD
Chief, Dept. Family Medicine
St. Albert Sturgeon General Hospital, AB
Chair, Salvus Family Medical Clinic |
Dr. Hauptman started by explaining what a vaccine is in general, and the success of the more well known ones, such as smallpox, whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella. The ideal vaccine prevents a communicable disease that causes significant illness in the general population, is safe, effective, as well as providing long-term immunity, and is cost effective. He went on to explain vaccine contra-indications and side effects, such as flu-like symptoms and anaphylaxis (allergies/reaction).
Dr. Hauptman then specified the attributes of the Human Papilloma Virus: it is common, and benign as in plantar and genital warts. Some strains can be associated with cervical cancer. However, 70% of infections clear by themselves within one year, and 90% within two years. As a result, HPV developing into cervical cancer is very rare. The incidence in Canada is 1,400 per year, with 400 deaths per year, a reduction of 75% over the last 50 years since the introduction of the Pap smear test. The controversy about the HPV is: is it advisable to universally provide it – untested – to pre-pubescent girls?
Dr. Hauptman pointed out that not all women have access to Pap test screening, or they are negligent in obtaining one. Smoking is also a contributing factor in the incidence of cervical cancer.
The Gardasil vaccine was introduced in 2006 to prevent strains 16 and 18 of the HPV from developing into cervical cancer and strains 6 and 11 into genital warts. The vaccine was recommended by immunization organizations, and governments in the U.S., and Canada complied.
The controversy over the vaccine arises from the question of whether healthy 9-12 year old virgins should be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease, by government decree, and with no research available on the effect of this vaccine on this age group. Also questionable is the high number of vaccinations for a relatively low infection rate.
Dr. Hauptman suggested that this money would be more wisely spent on education of healthy lifestyle choices, including cessation of smoking and abstinence from sexual activity.
He concluded that, in principle, the vaccine is safe, but should be targeted at older women who are sexually active and do not have regular Pap smears.
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