HPV Vaccine

Yes, good idea, but not something that needs to be legislated - just like working out and eating - personal choice. And the sex with just one forever...safe, yes, boring - you're right again - unless you find someone VERY special!!!

But (not looking for a big argument, just presenting the facts) we PRACTICALLY force all kids to be vaccinated as it is. No we do not require it for all children. But if you want to send them to school, any school, your kids better have had their shots.

And that's a good thing, we haven't nearly wiped out polio from the face of the planet by making the shot optional. By making all parents vaccinate their kids we go a very long way towards eliminating horrible and life threatening diseases that were once a common part of life for a great many people.

Vaccinate. Don't listen to anyone who tells you "how they personally feel" about it. Listen to doctors. Listen to scientists. They've actually done the research and know what they're talking about.

I don't expect them to wait until marriage or to only ever have one partner but they will have knowledge and access to contraceptives and I will teach them to being mature enough to have sex means being mature enough to protect yourself against pregnancy and STIs.

True Dat

I helped my stepson's fiancee do research for her college paper on HPV vaccines and after learning a bunch of stuff (not good) and the questionable reputation of the company that manufactures Gardisil, I advised my 15 year old daughter at the time NOT to get the vaccine. Most people don't realize that there is no proof that the vaccine is effective after 5 years and requires a booster shot. Don't get me wrong, I think that any way to protect one's self against cancer is a good thing, but at this time, I feel the side effects / unknown factors far outweigh the benefits. Hopefully, there will be more work done on making this drug more safe / effective when my granddaughter gets to that age.

Edited to add: Very few women in the US and Europe die from cervical cancer because of yearly exams. If I lived in a third world country, where the death rate is very high, I believe I would encourage the vaccine.

I agree.

I'm all about the vaccine. Made my daughter start getting it when she was 12. As far as the multiple partners, not worried about it. She's going to be a virgin the rest of her life. DON'T RUIN THIS FOR ME!!

My daughter is going in a locked closet from the age of 12 -- having a daughter is clearly penance for what I was doing at 12-13. (On a serious note, she'll definitely be getting the shots when she's of age.)

you shouldn't blindly trust the media, science, etc... When deciding what to put into your or your kids bodies. Do some research. Its out there.
I don't think it should be a mandated vaccine. It is a much different type of epidemic than polio or measles. But yes... Hugely contagious and a majority of the population are carriers already. My kids WILL be getting it. My son as well. Makes no sense to vaccinate one sex and not the other. I know there's a lot of hoopla amongst the conservatives about it giving permission for kids to be sexually active. Its not. At all.

Yes, good idea, but not something that needs to be legislated - just like working out and eating - personal choice. And the sex with just one forever...safe, yes, boring - you're right again - unless you find someone VERY special!!!

But (not looking for a big argument, just presenting the facts) we PRACTICALLY force all kids to be vaccinated as it is. No we do not require it for all children. But if you want to send them to school, any school, your kids better have had their shots.

And that's a good thing, we haven't nearly wiped out polio from the face of the planet by making the shot optional. By making all parents vaccinate their kids we go a very long way towards eliminating horrible and life threatening diseases that were once a common part of life for a great many people.

Vaccinate. Don't listen to anyone who tells you "how they personally feel" about it. Listen to doctors. Listen to scientists. They've actually done the research and know what they're talking about.

There are Doctors that are warning against the vaccine. My OB/GYN will not give the vaccine to anyone. They don't even carry it in their office because there are too many dangers and it doesn't necessarily guard against the virus.

I refused it for my daughter. They were doing it through her school, and you should be aware that if you have a latex allergy you cannot have the vaccine. My daughter has a severe, and I mean severe, allergy to latex. One touch from a latex glove and it's like she was burned with acid. I wonder if there are latex free condoms?

I wish they had this vaccine when I was younger. Two of my friends were affected by HPV which, by the way, is genital warts! My daughter will have this vaccine in addition to a lot of honest sex education.

Genital warts are one strand. Not all forms of hpv causes genital warts. just FYI

The human papilloma virus (HPV) is the name given to a family of viruses that affect the skin and the moist membranes (mucosa) that line the body. Mucosa are found in the:
mouth
throat
cervix (the neck of the womb)
*kitten*

There are over 100 different types of HPV, with around 40 types affecting the genital area. These are classed as high-risk and low-risk depending on the type of conditions that they can cause Infection with some high-risk types of HPV can cause abnormal tissue growth as well as other cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer (cancer of the cervix).

Infection with other types of HPV may cause:
genital warts: small growths or skin changes on or around the genital or anal area. These are the most common viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK.
skin warts and verrucas
vaginal cancer or vulval cancer (although these types of cancer are rare)
anal cancer or cancer of the penis
some cancers of the head and neck
laryngeal papillomas (warts on the voice box or vocal cords)
Some types of HPV are transmitted through sexual contact, which can cause genital warts and cervical cancer.
Combined with cervical screening the HPV vaccination is an important step towards preventing cervical cancer. It is estimated that about 400 lives could be saved in the UK every year as a result of vaccinating girls before they are infected with HPV.

I refused it for my daughter. They were doing it through her school, and you should be aware that if you have a latex allergy you cannot have the vaccine. My daughter has a severe, and I mean severe, allergy to latex. One touch from a latex glove and it's like she was burned with acid. I wonder if there are latex free condoms?
[/quote

Yes there is - Lamb skin.

Thank you! I've discussed with her about when she begins having sex (she's 15, and totally not interested) and told her that when the time came I'd have to research if there was an alternative, so thank you for letting me know.
We only found out about her allergy when she was in Brownies, and they made some craft using a latex glove.

Wow, I think this got so far off the purpose of the original post. But to get back on topic, yes, I think it is a good idea to get boys vaccinated as well. I didn't vaccinate my son because I thought it was just for girls. I recently had one of my daughters vaccinated and that's when I discovered boys can get vaccinated too. I wonder why they don't promote vaccination for boys like they promote it for girls?