Kids aged 11-12 need just two doses of cancer vaccine

MIAMI, USA – Kids aged 11-12 should get only two doses of a vaccine to prevent cancers caused by human papillomavirus, instead of the previously recommended 3 shots, US health authorities said Thursday, October 20.

The updated recommendation from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is based on research that shows younger adolescents can get similar protection that way, and may be more likely to get vaccinated if fewer shots are required.

HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause cancers of the head, neck, cervix, penis and anus.

Some 27,000 men and women are diagnosed in the United States with HPV-caused cancers each year.

“Safe, effective, and long-lasting protection against HPV cancers with two visits instead of 3 means more Americans will be protected from cancer,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden.

“This recommendation will make it simpler for parents to get their children protected in time.”

The two doses should be given 6 months apart.

Those aged 15-26 should continue to receive 3 doses, said the CDC.

The change was urged by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel of experts that advises the CDC on vaccine recommendations in the United States.

“CDC and ACIP made this recommendation after a thorough review of studies over several meetings,” the CDC said in a statement.

“CDC and ACIP reviewed data from clinical trials showing two doses of HPV vaccine in younger adolescents (aged 9-14 years) produced an immune response similar or higher than the response in young adults (aged 16-26 years) who received 3 doses.”

While the change in recommendation specifically referred to 11-12 year olds, the CDC added that “adolescents ages 13-14 are also able to receive HPV vaccination on the new 2-dose schedule.”

Many teens and pre-teens are still not getting vaccinated against HPV. (READ: One dose of HPV vaccine may prevent cervical cancer – study)

About two in 5 girls and 3 in 5 boys have not started the recommended HPV vaccine series, the CDC says. – Rappler.com

Make sure that you give your kids the recommended doses of vaccine as this will prove beneficial to them. If you are looking for other ways to keep your kids (and yourself!) healthy, click here to check out the awesome deals we have on health products.