WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and as students get ready to head back to school, health officials are encouraging families to consider protecting their children against human papillomavirus, or HPV.

Brittney Thorpe, a family nurse practitioner with Novant Health, spoke with WECT about the importance of receiving the HPV vaccine.

“So HPV is the human papillomavirus, a common virus that can cause warts and certain cancers,” Thorpe explained “With the vaccine, you know, we are trying to prevent HPV. Usually, by giving this vaccine, it does trigger the body’s immune system to produce antibodies to fight against the HPV virus.”

The vaccine is typically administered at around the age of 11 and 12 for boys and girls, although the usual age range to receive the vaccine is between nine and 26. Options are also available for those wanting to protect themselves who are older than 26.

“So there typically are no cons with this vaccine. It is super safe, super effective. You know, there are possibility for allergic reactions to any vaccines, so that’s always a possibility. But this vaccine has been very effective at preventing HPV,” Thorpe explained.

The full interview can be found at the top of this story.

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