The U.S. Could Prevent A Lot Of Cancers If We Really Used The HPV Vaccine

The U.S. Could Prevent A Lot Of Cancers If We Really Used The HPV Vaccine

The U.S. has a dismally low vaccination rate for human papillomavirus compared with other developed countries. Even though the vaccine is effective in preventing infection and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, 44 percent of parents said in 2010 that they wouldn't vaccinate their daughters against HPV (the vaccine was not recommended for boys until 2011). Parents may choose not to vaccinate because they believe the vaccine is not needed, or because they think their children are not sexually active. But while misconceptions about the vaccine persist, the evidence overwhelmingly shows that it's safe, effective and necessary.

Infographic by Alissa Scheller for The Huffington Post.

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