A HPV Survivor’s Story

By Terri Love

As we observe HPV Awareness Month, we recognize that Louisiana has one of the highest cervical cancer death rates in the country. But, it doesn’t have to be this way now that we can prevent many forms of cervical and other HPV-associated cancers by getting vaccinated. Today, I want to share a personal story about the importance of prioritizing our reproductive health and getting vaccinated against HPV. To say that I am thankful for the advancement of science is an understatement. I understand how earth shattering it can be to receive a diagnosis of HPV, especially when we have been careful and faithful in our sexual relationships. The truth is that 80-90% of people are infected with HPV in their lifetime. But my story doesn’t have to be yours.

In the 80s, after getting married and being faithful, I went to get my annual pap smear and was given the results of HPV. I was devastated because I had been so careful to maintain my innocence until marriage only to receive unfavorable news. Fortunately, the military hospital treated me and I was able to ask questions and understand my diagnosis.

Fast forward to the 90s, and I was diagnosed with cervical dysplasia–or abnormal cell growth—due to HPV. I had to undergo a surgery to remove the pre-cancerous tissue in my cervix, and fortunately, was able to maintain my reproductive organs. Had I not been vigilant about my gynecological health, this could have progressed to cancer.

Through my experiences, I have become an advocate for both vaccines and access to reproductive health care. This highly safe and effective vaccine can prevent up to 90% of HPV-related cancers and genital warts. Rather than assuming that “it won’t happen to me,” we must be proactive, selective, use protection, get tested, and get vaccinated to prevent HPV-related cancer.

My own grandchildren have started the HPV vaccine process, and I encourage everyone to take this proactive step towards protecting their health and preventing HPV-related cancer. There is no evidence suggesting that getting vaccinated against a preventable, deadly disease encourages premature sexual activity. In fact, boys and girls as young as 9 years old are now eligible for this life-saving vaccine that protects us from several types of cancer, including cervical, anal, and throat cancers. 

This HPV Awareness Month, let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of reproductive health care and the role vaccines play to prevent cancer. We can all be advocates for a safer, healthier world for our future generations. I pray you take my story to heart!

Weathering the Viral Storm

By Elizabeth Bunn

Map of confirmed tornadoes and tornado warnings by the National Weather Service during the tornado outbreak of December 12–15, 2022. (Source: AccuWeather)

Map of 2022-23 Influenza Season Week 49 ending Dec 10, 2022. (Source: cdc.gov)

What do these two maps have in common? Both serve as a snapshot of current conditions that inform us of possible risks. By knowing the potential dangers of a given situation, we can adequately prepare to have the best outcomes possible.

A week after Louisiana experienced 21 tornadoes in 24 hours, families are trying to piece their lives back together. We are very thankful for the meteorologists who worked long shifts to make sure we all knew when to take cover. They repeated precautions we could take over and over. We know we will have better outcomes during a tornado if, for instance, we stock up on emergency essentials, have access to communication devices, and take cover in an interior room on the lowest level away from windows. Many lives have been saved from these simple but effective precautions.

As Louisianans, we are used to weathering storms and working together as a community to take care of one another.

As we weather the surges of multiple viruses circulating in our communities, our healthcare and public health officials are sounding a similar warning. We have simple but effective precautions for this storm too.

By heeding the warning of our public health experts, you can ensure you are prepared to protect yourself and others. Let’s be a part of the solution and take proper precautions by vaccinating, masking, washing hands, and testing routinely. We are all in this together and, just like when a natural disaster strikes Louisiana, we need to work together as a community to weather this viral storm.

If you are looking for a vaccine, you can talk to your trusted primary care physician, pharmacist, or visit vaccines.gov to find a location near you.

Be well, friends!

COVID-19 vaccine now part of CDC’s recommended childhood immunization schedule

By Jennifer Herricks, PhD

What does this mean for my kid(s)? To understand the implications of the recent addition of the COVID-19 vaccine to the CDC’s schedule of recommended childhood immunizations, it is important to understand what these recommendations mean. All vaccines on this schedule are included in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. This makes them free to children without insurance, which widens access to lifesaving preventive medicine.

But isn’t the COVID-19 vaccine already free? Currently, yes. However, once the US Government stops paying for these vaccines they will no longer be free. So, adding COVID-19 vaccines to the recommended schedule allows them to remain free to children who qualify for the VFC Program.

Does this mean COVID-19 vaccines are now required for kids to attend school? No. The CDC can only make vaccine recommendations. Decisions to require vaccines for school are made by each state. While state officials use these recommendations from top public health experts to guide their decisions, vaccine requirements for school entry look different from state to state. Louisiana does not require vaccines against rotavirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b (hib), flu, human papillomavirus (HPV), or pneumococcal vaccines, even though they are all on the CDC’s recommended schedule. If the state of Louisiana did decide to require COVID-19 vaccines for school entry, Louisiana parents could opt out, as they can for any vaccine required for school.

It is important for parents to make an informed decision when deciding whether to vaccinate their kids, and know that the risks posed to their children from COVID-19 are much greater than any risk posed by the vaccine. Over 162,000 kids have been hospitalized and over 1,800 have died from COVID-19 in the US since the beginning of the pandemic. In addition, people can be reinfected with COVID-19, increasing the risk of complications and long covid. Vaccination protects against severe disease, complications and long covid. 

The COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of becoming sick and lower the severity of symptoms if illness is acquired. This allows vaccinated people to clear the infection more quickly and reduces the risk of passing it to others. Many other common vaccines do the same. The safety and efficacy of these FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccines continue to be monitored just as they are for other vaccines. Billions of people have been safely vaccinated and protected from COVID-19. Our kids deserve the same protection.

We Will Fight for Our Lives (A Reverse Poem)

By Crystal Rommen, LCSW

We will fight for our lives

Because if we don’t concern ourselves with disease

We are able to actualize our God-given rights

And how am I supposed to believe

Vaccines are safe and effective

Since regardless of what you say

Vaccines don’t work and it’s all a hoax

And there is no way you can tell me

That we have centuries of data and a global consensus

So I will not stop until everyone knows

The undeniable truth about vaccines

And I believe the facts reveal

I know what is best for myself and my family

Because I trust the research

That natural infection is better than prevention

And I can’t understand why you keep saying

Vaccines save lives.

-Read from bottom to top-