Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and prepare yourself for the pinch of a needle. Many girls have heard this as they anticipate their HPV vaccine. Gardasil, the vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus, is being given out now more than ever to prevent cervical cancer. Some parents are insistent on their daughters receiving this shot trying to protect them. But is this vaccine as all that as they are led to believe?

            According to many teenage girls, the shots can be painful and nauseating. So what good can come from this? Gardasil protects against only four of the hundreds of strains of HPV, which could cause cervical cancer. But of those four, two strains protect against HPV, and the other two protect against genital warts, which are 70% of the cause of cervical cancer. Gardasil is most effective for girls that have not been sexually active, and does not help you if you already have HPV. However, researchers say that HPV is symptomless and that it can go away by itself. Only 10% of HPV infections go on to become lesions which form cervical cancer. And even if you do receive this vaccine it is still suggested that you get pap smears regularly.

            In my opinion, it is pointless to get this shot. You would have to get three shots each costing between $200 and $400 to prevent an illness that you may or may not contract. Nevertheless, you should be cautious and get Pap Smears regularly. Gardasil is recommended for girls that have not had sex. So what about the girls that are sexually active? The vaccine would be useless for them. A girl would only need to be tested on a yearly basis and it would detect any signs of HPV or cervical cancer.

            The company, Merck, has just over exaggerated the need for this vaccine. Merck is trying to frighten parents about HPV, genital warts, and cervical cancer so that their product will sell. You just need to protective about your body and receive check ups regularly. Therefore, there will be nothing to be scared about.