The feds are disappointed by a new study showing a low percentage of teens getting HPV vaccinations. But Oregonians have slightly higher immunization rates than the national average.
The human papillomavirus can cause cancer in men and women.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the HPV vaccine is both safe and an effective.
But Assistant Surgeon General, Dr. Anne Schuchat says she's disappointed only 57 percent of girls between 13 and 17 got the vaccine last year -- even though that's a slight increase over last year.
"The results we are reporting today are disappointing," she said.
"There are about 14 million new HPV infections every year, most often acquired in people in their teens and twenties."
Oregonians vaccinated 66 percent of their daughters - a higher rate than the national average. But their sons were vaccinated at about the same as the national average, 36 percent.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6329a4.htm?s_cid=mm6329a4_w#tab3
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