HPV vaccine not as popular as it should be: study

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The human papillomavirus virus or HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the U.S. It can cause several types of cancers in men and women. While the HPV vaccine has been available for several years, a new study shows not everyone wants to give it a chance.

Mom Danielle Schwartz-Safko is usually in the driver's seat when it comes to her kids. But when it came to the HPV vaccine, her 13-year-old son Logan didn't need any direction. He wanted to get it.

"I'm glad I got it, because I don't really want all that STDs in my system," he said.

But according to new research from the Moffitt Cancer Center, the HPV vaccine isn't as popular as it should be - especially among boys.

"It feels a little bit like we've fallen short," said Susan Vadaparampil, a professor and senior member of the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Vadaparampil said in the U.S., only 38 percent of girls have completed all three doses of the vaccination. For boys, it's only 14 percent.

"We would probably do a lot better if everybody was on the same page in terms of vaccine benefits, being comfortable with discussing the vaccine, and seeing how there is potential to prevent cancer," Vadaparampil said.

Research showed some doctors didn't recommend the vaccine because they were hesitant to have the "birds and bees" talk with kids.

"Bringing up a vaccine that's about a virus that's potentially sexually transmitted is a difficult topic at any age group," Vadaparampil said.

That's not an issue for pediatrician Dr. Marcy Solomon Baker. She said it's all about the approach.

"Roll it in with their sixth, seventh grade immunizations, their middle school immunizations, and I don't think you really have to get into detail with an 11-year-old about why we're giving this vaccine," Solomon Baker said.

Logan hopes more kids will get the vaccine.

"It was just another shot. Basically, all of the shots are the same," he said.

The National Cancer Institute says widespread vaccination has the potential to reduce cervical cancer deaths around the world by as much as two-thirds.