January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. This is a chance to raise awareness about how women can protect themselves from HPV (human papillomavirus) and cervical cancer. Men and women can both get HPV. HPV is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity. It’s also a major cause of cervical cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control, anogenital HPV infection is believed to be the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. An estimated 79 million persons are infected, and an estimated 14 million new HPV infections occur annually with half of these in persons 15-24 years of age. Many people with HPV don’t know they are infected.

The two most common types of cervical cancer worldwide are both caused by HPV. The CDC and National Cancer Institute’s United States Cancer Statistics Working Group reports that from 2005 through 2009 there were annual averages of 12,595 cases and 3,968 deaths due to cervical cancer. HPV is believed to be responsible for almost all of these cases of cervical cancer, and HPV types 16 and 18 are associated with 70% of these cancers. In addition to cervical cancer, HPV is believed to be responsible for 90% of anal cancers, 71% of vulvar, vaginal, or penile cancers, and 72% of oropharyngeal cancers.

The HPV vaccine can help prevent HPV infection and can protect males and females from HPV associated cancers. The vaccine does not cure HPV infections that were acquired prior to getting the vaccine. The HPV vaccine is recommended for preteen boys and girls at age 11 or 12 so they are protected before ever being exposed to the virus. HPV vaccine also produces a more robust immune response during the preteen years. Young women and men can get the vaccine through the age of 26. HPV vaccine is given in a series of three shots. The CDC recommends receiving the full HPV vaccine series.

The Brownwood/Brown County Health Department has state funded HPV vaccine available. To qualify for state funded vaccine adults must be uninsured. To qualify for state funded child and adolescent vaccines, children must meet one of the following eligibility criteria:

1. Be enrolled in Medicaid
2. Be enrolled in CHIPS
3. Be Native American or Alaskan Native
4. Be uninsured
5. Be underinsured

• Insurance does not pay for vaccines
• Insurance pays only for certain vaccines, in which case the child is eligible for only the vaccines which the insurance does not pay for.
• Insurance caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount.

During the month of January, the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department will waive the $15.00 administration fee for any person who wishes to get the HPV vaccine. The BBCHD encourages the citizens of our area to take advantage of this opportunity to get themselves or their children vaccinated against HPV. For questions about human papillomavirus or the HPV vaccine, please call the health department at 325-646-0554. Information can also be obtained by visiting the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.