By The Beacon Editorial Board
The new health center clinic providing HVP vaccines at discounted cost for female students is a great step in promoting disease prevention at the University of Portland.
Many students still reside in the invincible state of mind, being young and optimistic. But the truth is that university students live in a world full of health risk when it comes to sexually transmitted diseases. The HPV vaccine is a quick way for women to protect themselves.
The shots prevent the four most common strains of Human Papillomavirus which is an increasingly prevalent sexually transmitted virus; the CDC estimates that 50 percent of people will contract HPV in their lives. Usually the body eliminates the virus within two years. In some cases however, HPV can lead to cervical cancer. Since most people do not experience any symptoms from the virus, this shot is an easy way to prevent disease before its too late.
Last year the university provided H1N1 vaccines for students on campus, specifically nursing students who work in hospitals. Clinics like these make important vaccines accessible to students that may otherwise not consider getting vaccinated due to cost or inconvenience. It is commendable that the university is continuing this trend of making vaccines available for students, showing that UP cares about our physical well-being in addition to our intellectual needs.
If the line of UP women is wrapping around the block on September 30th to get these shots, the university should invest in more clinics for the health of its students. UP is doing a great service to their students by providing discounted prevention measures and students should take advantage of the opportunity.
