Parents- HPV vaccine for girls......yes or no?

robininfl

nahmm83 wrote: »

Thanks y'all. I really appreciate your concern, opinions, and honesty. Doctors and certain government agencies completely approve/endorse the vaccine, but certain professors in my med school as well as my niece's pediatrician that I've talked to informed me about the concerns that the AAP is having to overcome regarding the side affects. I have 5 daughters and it's very hard to come to terms with the fact that if they do receive the vaccine maybe all 5 of my girls will be fine or perhaps 1 of the 5 will not.....and that's a tough decision to make as a parent.

We have many daughters too, and I'd say there is a 100% chance that anyone sexually active will get more than one sexually transmitted HPV, it's that common in the world. I'm almost 50 and almost every woman I know has had problems at some point with an HPV-related cervical change. Though most people who get these viruses have no eventual health impact from them, you can't guarantee that you won't pass it to someone who WILL have health issues because of the virus. The vaccine is not very problematic, it's even less of a health risk than the HPV is, and will keep the kids from passing on the viruses, it's a very good idea. Pap smears have reduced the death rate from cervical cancer but the vaccine can reduce the number of women who get the cervical changes in the first place, and protects men from getting HPV cancers, which are less common but also less screened for so more likely to progress.

This one is a clear yes in my view. Very low risk of bad reaction to the shot, and it's protecting from something that is extremely likely to happen, incidence close to 100%, not some exotic uncommon disease.

stevencloser

Piloteer2009 wrote: »

To help with the decision making regarding healthcare for our children, it would be wise to consider all views, fringe or learned.

There is a bit of truth to be found from all sources.

The truth is that vaccinations saved and continues saving millions of lives.

GaleHawkins

TatajanaScylinda wrote: »

I got the HPV vaccine, ended up getting the HPV that leads to cervical cancer from a long term boyfriend, had to have a very small section of my cervix lasered because they found cancer cells, all the doctors agreed the shot probably saved me from a much worse case, because I caught it after my one year appointment and didn't have another check up until a year later. HPV doesn't have to be contracted sexually and condoms do not prevent the spread and it is causing throat cancer now. It really is a personal choice. If caught soon enough cervical cancer can be treated and cured. I think the shot is more helpful against the HPV that causes warts. That's something you won't be able to get rid of. This is just my personal story though. I hope you can find your way through all the mess of information and you and your daughter chose the right choice for you!

HPV sounds like both a guy and girl concern.

oralcancerfoundation.org/hpv/

100df

I used the HPV vaccine as something to start the transfer of me (and my husband) being in charge of my daughter's healthcare to her. I gave her literature from the doctor and made her discuss it with him. We did give our opinions which was to get it.

My daughter chose to get it although she waited 3 weeks after the boosters she needed for college. More to spread the needle sticks out than to prevent a reaction. I was was happy she decided that. I did worry about an adverse reaction.

The vaccine issue is so politicized that I don't trust anything I read on the internet about it. Both sides are so aggressive and unwilling to see the other side.

There are risks to getting a vaccine. Even if the risk is one in a million, that means 1 person is harmed. Sure, I played it as we wouldn't be the "one" and it worked out fine. If it's your kid, it's awful.

laur357

I made the decision to have myself vaccinated shortly after it was approved. I was in college, over 18. I have a number of close family members who have battled cancer, and I'm at high risk for certain familial cancers myself. I will take the necessary steps to reduce my risk, so getting the HPV vaccine made a lot of sense to me. Why would I not prevent cervical cancer? One less I need to worry about!

While the shot itself is one of the more painful I've had (closer to the hepatitis b vaccine than say, the flu), I'm very glad I had it. I haven't had many partners and take safety very seriously, but I couldn't control when one partner was lying and cheating. And, I've not had any of the abnormal tests, precancerous cells, or cancer that a number of my friends have dealt with over the years.

You could wait until your child is old enough to decide herself, but it's most effective before children become sexually active. HPV is common and difficult to prevent through current prophylactic methods.
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hpv.html

VeryKatie

stevencloser wrote: »

Piloteer2009 wrote: »

To help with the decision making regarding healthcare for our children, it would be wise to consider all views, fringe or learned.

There is a bit of truth to be found from all sources.

The truth is that vaccinations saved and continues saving millions of lives.

Holy *kitten*, varicella killed 4 million people a year just in the USA!?!?!?! I JUST got this vaccine in the spring since I never had chicken pox as a kid. I'm VERY glad I did now!

Morbidity means killed right? Not just contracted? Or can it mean both? Google is being confusing with it's answer.

ETA: Omg hahah no, that's mortality. Hahahah I was so confused. Ok so it means 4 million a year GOT the chicken pox before vaccinations. And now 10x fewer people get it.

stevencloser

Yes, morbidity means how many people got it.
Chicken pox can have quite serious complications, especially if you get it as an adult, which can be deadly.

ninerbuff

My DD had it done. I believe in vaccines for kids so yes.

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CatchMom11

nahmm83 wrote: »

My daughters receive vaccines, but I'm still undecided regarding the HPV vaccine.....I've done my research and their doctor is also adamant about them receiving the vaccine. However, I wanted to ask for your opinions on why you had (or didn't have) your daughter receive the HPV vaccine.

As someone who has battle cervical cancer, I cannot stress enough the importance of this vaccine. I caught mine super early so I was able to not have to go through chemo, just had to have surgery. However, I've watch loved ones lose their battle so if there's a way to protect our daughters, ABSOLUTELY DO IT!

KassiesJourney

I am 23 and have never had it, middle sister had hers done. I don't know if my younger sister has yet.

sophiek1964

I wish my daughter did get the vaccine. One of my biggest regrets was not pushing her to get it. She was of age to get it just when it came out and not much was known about it. She ended up in her early 20's with precancerous vulvar cells, had to have two surgeries for that, and had to have part of her cervix (stage one cancer) removed due to HPV she contracted from her long-term exclusive boyfriend. Thankfully, she is fine now but there will always be a dark cloud that it may return. I definitely agree with the others that it is incredibly important to get this vaccine.

VeryKatie

stevencloser wrote: »

Yes, morbidity means how many people got it.
Chicken pox can have quite serious complications, especially if you get it as an adult, which can be deadly.

Yeah, that's why I recently got the vaccine. I'm 27 and never had it.

suzyjane1972

VeryKatie wrote: »

stevencloser wrote: »

Yes, morbidity means how many people got it.
Chicken pox can have quite serious complications, especially if you get it as an adult, which can be deadly.

Yeah, that's why I recently got the vaccine. I'm 27 and never had it.

I had chickenpox at 16.....it was the worst I've ever felt, I had spots inside my eyelids, nose mouth and throat (as well as many other places) i was quite ill for a long time.

Cervical screening doesn't start till 25 here in the uk and if I'd had the chance I'd have been 1st in the queue for a vaccine as too many young girls are dying of something hopefully now can be drastically reduced by a shot.

mysticwryter

When I went to boot camp I was given an option for the HPV vaccine. I took it at the time. I honestly haven't had any after effects of having it. I've heard back and forth talks about the vaccine. I had a child in 2012 and currently on birth control (Mirena).

dahliacats

After administering 170 million doses of Gardisil (HPV Vaccine) over the past 9 years, there have been only 6 reported cases of infertility associated with the vaccine (Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology:February 2016 - Volume 28 - Issue 1 - p 70–72). Please be aware that HPV disease itself (not the vaccine) has been associated with infertility, and it clearly causes cervical, vulvar, rectal, throat and possibly lung and bladder cancers. HPV immunization clearly saves lives. The strains in the immunization are those most associated with cancer.

enterdanger

I was too old to get it but I would definitely have my kids get it. Out of my close circle of friends (which isn't huge) I know 4 people with HPV, one of whom did get cervical cancer super young, which spread. She lived, but at age 28 she had a full hysterectomy and now can't have biological kids, which she desperately wanted.

denversillygoose

Yes. Why wouldn't I do something so simple that can protect her so much. HPV is too common not to vaccinate.

shinycrazy

My son will get it when the time comes. I had it when it first came out, as I was at the top of the age range when it was introduced. I haven't seen any reason not too.

shinycrazy

nahmm83 wrote: »

@nutmegoreo my concern, as was the only concerns with the people opposed to it (that I personally spoke to) is the possibility of infertility. I just have to hope for the best.

I had this vaccine at 26 and got pregnant the first time I tried at age 29. I'm an anecdote certainly, but for me I did not have any ill side effects.

nahmm83

Sorry to whomever thought that I said no to having my daughters receive the hpv vaccination......I never said no. Undecided, yes.....but never a "NO". Proud to say that my 2 oldest daughters of age to recieve the vaccination received them today!!! Thanks ya'll. Especially to the women who had to overcome all the calamities associated with either not receiving the vaccination or actually with hpv itself. Thank you, really helped me make the decision in talking with my daughters and choosing to get the vaccine.