Christina Wallace: Cancer Prevention In Action Works To Increase HPV Vaccination Rates In Children

by Contributor | September 14, 2020 3:15 pm

Dear Editor,

You may know the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine best for its prevention of cervical cancer.  Now the vaccine is approved for use against head, neck and throat cancer. More than 35,000 HPV-related cancers are found each year. About 13,500 are cancers of the throat.

The Cancer Prevention in Action Program (CPiA) works to increase HPV vaccination rates in children in order to prevent cancer in adulthood. Head, neck and throat cancers are more common among men and among people over the age of 50.

The HPV vaccine is given to boys and girls beginning at age nine and through age 26.  Unfortunately, close to half of adolescents in New York State do not get the vaccine when they should. Because of COVID-19, many parents have had to delay regular health care visits when vaccines are given.

If you’ve had to put off your child’s vaccinations, now is the time to get them back on your calendar. You may wonder if it is safe to have a health care visit, but medical offices are taking extra steps to make your visit safe.

These steps include:

• asking patients about COVID-19 symptoms before the appointment
• using online check-in
• making sure both staff and patients wear face masks
• setting up sick visits and well visits during different times of the day
• adding more time between appointments
• cleaning and disinfecting waiting rooms
• spacing waiting room chairs so patients can social distance
• asking patients to wait outside until the exam room is ready
• making sure exam rooms and equipment are cleaned and disinfected after each patient

CPiA is helping New York get back on track with HPV vaccination, cancer screening and being sun safe all year long. To learn more about the CPiA Program go to www.takeactionagainstcancer.com[1] or contact us at 1-855-592-0830.

Christina Wallace

Cancer Services Program Specialist

Cancer Prevention in Action Program*

1-855-592-0830

*CPiA is supported with funds from the State of New York

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/christina-wallace-cancer-prevention-in-action-works-to-increase-hpv-vaccination-rates-in-children/

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