The Dubois County Health Department has begun a county wide HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine initiative.
A release from Dubois County Health Department Administrator Director Donna Oeding says with funding from the American Cancer Society, the goal is to reduce the rate of cancer in the community, secondary to HPV infections, through vaccination and education.
She says the focus of the grant is to vaccinate both boys and girls in the 11 to 12 year age range, however, the health department wants to vaccinate every boy and girl age 9 through 26 years of age.
Dubois County is currently in the lowest quarter of Indiana for HPV vaccination rates.
The HPV vaccine is over 97% effective at preventing infection with the types of HPV that cause most HPV cancers when given before your child is exposed to the virus.
Oeding says HPV VACCINATION PROTECTS against the types of HPV that cause most of these cancers when given before your child is exposed to the virus.
The vaccine can be started as early as age 9, and should be completed by your child’s 13th birthday. The vaccine is given in two shots, with 6 to 12 months between shots, if started prior to the 15th birthday.
The Health Department will offer the HPV vaccination during all visits to the 9-26 year old patients. Extended hours and school based clinics will be offered.
The Health Department hours are Monday through Friday 8-11:30am and 1:00 – 3:30pm.
Late night clinics for HPV will be held tomorrow June 13th and July 18th from 3:30-5:30 pm.
Please call 812-481-7056 to schedule an appointment.
