HPV Vaccine

What is your opinion on this? I know many of you have children not nearly old enough to consider this, but would you get your child vaccinated if they were old enough now? Have you been vaccinated?

My daughter is 13 turning 14 and I am struggling with this. She is nowhere near sexually active at this point, but I know at our next visit, I will have to make a decision.

HPV Vaccine

I had mine when it first came out, and I'm one of the few people I know who never contracted HPV. I think it's a great thing.

Re: HPV Vaccine

Re: HPV Vaccine

Get it. There is no reason not to.

Even though she is years away from becoming sexually active you could be saving he a tremendous amount of pain/heartbreak/medical issues.

Re: HPV Vaccine

I'm undecided but my DD is only 2, so I have plenty of time to decide. I didn't get it when it first came out, bc I don't like getting anything that's so new and hasn't had years to see the side effects experienced by the public. Also, I believe I was just passed the age for who it was recommended and I was already married.

If, by the time my DD is that age, it's still around and recommended, I'll probably give it to her.

I think a good question is if it will protect her forever, like if she becomes sexually active at 21, will she still be protected by the vaccine she got at 14? If the answer is yes, then I think that's a good reason.

Re: HPV Vaccine

At this point I'm saying no (I still have YEARS to decide as my oldest is only 3).

The vaccine has been banned in other countries and the risk of adverse reactions from this vaccine is higher than the risk of getting Cervical Cancer with regular screenings. (I read this in a few different articles- but none of them are scientific journals- so take that for what it's worth- still scares me though.)

Honestly, I have read articles on both sides, and it's scary. I DO know that MOST of the time Cervical Cancer is avoidable and/or treatable/curable with regular pap smears.

Like I said, I still have plenty of time to decide so I'm reserving the right to change my mind.

Good luck!

Message edited 11/20/2013 12:45:31 PM.

Re: HPV Vaccine

Re: HPV Vaccine

I've been reading too much. I can see the arguement for getting and not getting it so far. It does only protect against 3 of the 40 HPV viruses out there. And, with regular pap smears, you can still protect yourself against cervical cancer.

This is what scares me:

Link

Plus, I'm reading about girls who have had adverse reactions and are still having them months, even years later.

HPV Vaccine

Plus, they originally said that each girl needed three doses, now there are articles that say "whoops, thats way too much. now we only recomment one dose, sorry!" Thats triple the amount needed to protect against HPV.

HPV Vaccine

Eh, I find myself on the fence about most newer vaccines. And, typically tend to avoid them.

I would just do a lot of research that way you are comfortable with your decision.