Author: Melissa Viray, MD

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Melissa Viray, MD, is the deputy director for Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, where she oversees communicable disease epidemiology, STI/HIV prevention, emergency preparedness and response, and opiate response activities. She has been closely involved with the COVID-19 response in Richmond City and Henrico County, both for containment efforts and for vaccination. Dr. Viray has three adult stepson, two large dogs, and one small cat. She lives in Henrico.

Every year, more than 46,000 Americans are diagnosed with preventable cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Today a vaccine exists that prevents the majority of HPV infections which, in…