HPV vaccine is cancer prevention: Protect your kids

The Washington Department of Health has launched a campaign to encourage parents to get their children vaccinated against HPV. Nurses can help spread the word!

DOH has set up a webpage specifically about HPV, doh.wa.gov/HPV. They will also provide postcards to providers for use with their patients. Email rschubert@wsna.org for more information on how to order postcards.

Here's what DOH's campaign is saying:

If there were a vaccine against cancer, wouldn’t you get it for your child? The HPV vaccine protects against cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a very common infection spread by skin-to-skin sexual contact. Doctors recommend that both boys and girls get the vaccine at age 11 or 12—or as soon as possible if they’re older. The vaccine is most effective when given during the preteen years, before risk of exposure to the virus. The HPV vaccine is free. Talk with your child’s provider about the HPV vaccine today, or visit doh.wa.gov/HPV to get the facts.