| Choice USA Applauds HPV Recommendation |
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30 Jun 2006 HPV vaccine recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 30, 2006 CONTACT: Rebecca Wiegand (o) 202-965-7700 (m) 202-427-7450 On Thursday, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that 11 and 12 year old girls receive the newly approved vaccine for the humanpapillomavirus (HPV), which is the cause of nearly all (99.7 percent) of cervical cancer cases. Crystal Plati, Executive Director of Choice USA issued the following statement in response to the panel’s recommendation: "Choice USA is pleased and encouraged with the CDC panel’s decision to recommend vaccinating young girls against HPV, and thereby helping to prevent cervical cancer for future generations. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second-most-common type of cancer that strikes women — behind only breast cancer. As many as half of those infected with HPV are adolescents and young adults; aged 15-24 years. This vaccine is a huge breakthrough in preventing cervical cancer for these women and we are encouraged that the CDC is upholding its duty to protect the health and well-being of all women." "It is our hope that the CDC will continue to rely on evidence-based information to make responsible recommendations regarding young women’s health and well-being. We fully expect the CDC to take the next step by recommending the HPV vaccine for inclusion in the Vaccines for Children Program so it can be offered at reduced rates or free of charge for eligible low-income children. We must now ensure that all children and young women will be able to access the vaccine through their health insurance providers, state Medicaid programs, and school vaccination programs." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 50 percent of adults will get a genital type of HPV by the age of 50. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006, about 9,710 women in the United States will develop cervical cancer and about 3,700 will die from it. # # #
Choice USA mobilizes and provides ongoing support to the diverse, upcoming generation of leaders who promote and protect reproductive choice both now and in the future. We are dedicated to the right of each person worldwide to decide when and if they will have sex, when and if they will be pregnant, and when and if they will have a child. In order to make those personal decisions, accurate information and safe, legal reproductive health services must be available to everyone.
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