2023-05-04 12:18:22
It is a sexually transmitted virus and one of the main causes of cervical cancer in women. Locally, health professionals are finding that the HPV vaccine “makes parents less and less afraid“.
On the occasion of European Vaccination Week, gynecologists recall the importance of this. This vaccine is aimed at adolescents who are between 11 and 14 years old, it is mom and dad who make the decisions… Damien Petrakian, gynecologist in La Ciotat, sees a clear change in local public opinion: “We have seen it since the Covid, many patients do not like vaccines. However, more and more parents accept that their children be vaccinated against the Papillomavirus.”
When the injection is performed between the ages of 11 and 14, a two-dose schedule is sufficient. But for those who would take it later, it will take three.
Eight out of 10 women are exposed to viruses in their lifetime
“Currently, pharmacies can vaccinate patients who have a prescription, this allows them to be used more quickly, indicates the gynecologist. However, within a few months, they will be able to prescribe it directly.”
The President of the Republic announced it last February. In order to fight against these infections in teenagers, Emmanuelle Macron indicated that pharmacies, midwives and nurses could prescribe HPV. “This will avoid three expensive doctor’s appointments – an initial visit and then two more for both doses“, explained the government.
The opportunity also to put the subject back on the table. In the Egerland pharmacy, on the avenue du Président-John-Kennedy, Astrid Egerland, doctor of pharmacy, has not injected a single dose since the beginning of the year.
“If we have requests, we order the doses and we can do it quickly“, she confides. A little further, at the Gulf pharmacy, on the way to the Nursery, they have them continuously. Ingrid, a pharmacist, says she vaccinated a few teenagers last March. “Parents come to us without too many questions. It’s unclear how things will turn out in September, but seeing their doctor before has reassured them to this day.”
Damien Petrakian nevertheless reminds us that it is important to take the subject seriously, since around eight out of 10 women are exposed to these viruses during their lifetime. “In 60% of cases, the infection takes place at the start of sexual life.” And according to him, the parents “yet fear more to vaccinate their daughter than their boy”. The reason ? She remains a mystery.
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