Question: Who Should Not Get the HPV Vaccine?
Gardasil, a vaccine that prevents the spread of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, was given FDA approval in June 2006. The targeted age group for the vaccine is ages 11 to 12 through age 26. HPV is a sexually tranmitted virus that can lead to cervical cancer, genital warts, and is linked to other types of cancer.
Answer: There are several reasons to not get the vaccine:
- Like with most vaccines, if you are suffering from a moderate to severe acute illness, such as diarrhea or the flu, you may want to wait until you fully recover before receiving the HPV vaccine.
- If you are temporarily on an immunosuppressive drug (such as steroid treatments for asthma), it may be better to wait until the course of therapy is completed.
- If you have a hypersensitivity to yeast or another ingredient in the vaccine, you should not receive it.
- If you are pregnant, you should not get the HPV vaccine. Although no data shows effects of the vaccine on pregnancy or the fetus, it is limited.
- "Sexually Transmitted Diseases." HPV and HPV Vaccine - Information for Healthcare Providers. Aug 2006. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 14 Nov 2006.
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