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ACOG Endorses Guidelines on HPV Vaccine
Source: MedPage Today
By: Gever, John
08/23/2010
Updating a 2006 statement, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has recommended that vaccines to prevent certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) be given to girls aged 11 and 12 years but emphasizes the importance of women getting pap smears beginning at age 21 regardless of vaccination status. Although the vaccines are most effective if administered before young women become sexually active, ACOG promotes “catch-up” shots for young women up to age 26. Published online in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, the statement also says HPV testing is not necessary prior to vaccination, as immunization remains an option despite positive tests results because the vaccines cover multiple HPV strains.
