I was wondering if anyone here had any information on the subject of cervical cancer vaccinations? Im needing info on the human papillomavirus as well. Is it strictly a sexually transmitted disease. Im clueless. Is there anyone here who's allowed their dd to recieve the vaccine? Would you mind sharing your thoughts on the subject?
Thanks!!
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I got my daughter vaccinated w/ Cervarix last year. She was 14. Only side effect was some pain in the injection area (upper arm) for a day or so afterwards, and a bit of fatigue that day.
Yes, HPV is sexually transmitted, but it's better to be vaccinated *before* becoming sexually active.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100005151.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervarix
I'm in general pro-vaccination and had both my kids vaccinated on the schedule recommended by the Hong Kong government. So, I did not worry about having her take the vaccine.
This has been on my mind a lot. I searched the vax forums, but haven't seen much that's helpful. I want info too. I'd like to hear how other families have approached this, either choosing or not choosing, and what the discussions with their dd's were like. Were they a part of the conversation/choice, or not?
I didnt even think to post it in the vax section (duh), I just thought here would be appropriate bc it was about my preteen girls. I did some research after I posted this and realised hpv is sexually transmitted. I discussed this with my girls and we decided together that they wouldnt need to be vaccinated. This was my main concern, whether it was strictly to deal with sexual activity or was it something like any other cancer that is hereditary or anything like that.
Thanks, im interested in any discussion on the subject still.
There is an active discussion going on about Guardasil and the like right now. Scroll through it - some of the good stuff is towards the bottom.
It is worth noting that a couple of posters who are selactive/delayed are against the vax. I tend to find selectives/delayed pretty moderate in approach. This is one controversial vaccine!
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This is a timely thread for me. DD came home yesterday with the permission form for Guardasil. The public health nurse goes to the school and vaxxes kids there in this part of the world. I refused.
While I have never really had a discussion on vaccines before with DD - I did last night. It is tricky because as a non-vaxxer I am aware of my own bias, so to speak. I showed her a article the CBS had printed - which is pretty mainstream, I think, but still laid out the issues I had. I wanted to show her an article so she would realise lots of people had concerns about this vaccine - not just her parents.
Thankfully, her and I are on the same page. She does not want the vax. Had she wanted the vax, I would have told her that I was not comfortable at this point allowing the shot. I would tell her that she could get the shot when she was 15 or 16+ (and I would pay for it - it is free here to grade 8 girls only 
) but that if she wanted the shot she would have to research the pros and cons thoroughly. I have done the research and made a decision - if she wants to have responsability for making health decisions prior to age 18 she would have to take up the job of researching.
I also discussed the risk factors for cervical cancer - because there are some and they are somewhat controllable. There are other ways to reduce risk.
It did cross my mind that I hope she does not go to school and tell all her friends that the vax is dangerous! The parents and staff will thank me for that
Yes, this. Im still mulling it over, but the more and more I read about it, the more Im becoming convinced that its not a good thing for us.
My daughter was in high school when the vaccine became commonly available, and at 16 I felt the decision was primarily up to her. We discussed it thoroughly, both the pros and the cons. She has had all of her other vaccinations, but she chose not to have the Gardasil vaccine. It was still very new and very controversial, but she follows the information closely and has not changed her mind (she is still within the age parameters to get vaccinated if she chooses to). Most of her friends were vaccinated immediately with no discussion; some of them would not have done it if the choice had been theirs.
Yes, this. Im still mulling it over, but the more and more I read about it, the more Im becoming convinced that its not a good thing for us.
Could you say more about your concerns?
Providing children with life-long immunity for particular diseases is how innoculation works, both in theory and practice.
Givng children innoculations for HPV at age 12 doesn't mean they are going to be having sex at age 12. It just means their immune system will be ready for particular STD's when they are sexually active.
Instead of being spooked by it, why not look at it as a chance to discuss sex with your kids when they are ready to talk to you?
Providing children with life-long immunity for particular diseases is how innoculation works, both in theory and practice.
Givng children innoculations for HPV at age 12 doesn't mean they are going to be having sex at age 12. It just means their immune system will be ready for particular STD's when they are sexually active.
Instead of being spooked by it, why not look at it as a chance to discuss sex with your kids when they are ready to talk to you?
You seem to be making some assumptions about the motivations people have to not have this vaccine given to their children. For example, here it is recommended at 11. Since it is a relatively new vaccine and my child is not close to being exposed, we are waiting. She is now 12.5 and while I assume that she will be vacicnated in the next 4-5 years, it doesn't make me think that she should have been 18 months ago. Earlier is not always better. I am not "spooked" and we have (and continue to have) conversations about sex. My keeping information from my DD really has nothing to do with our avoidance of this vaccine.
Providing children with life-long immunity for particular diseases is how innoculation works, both in theory and practice.
Givng children innoculations for HPV at age 12 doesn't mean they are going to be having sex at age 12. It just means their immune system will be ready for particular STD's when they are sexually active.
Instead of being spooked by it, why not look at it as a chance to discuss sex with your kids when they are ready to talk to you?
From medscape:
Ceravix is a bivalent vaccine, active against HPV types 16 and 18, which together are thought to be responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancer cases. However, data from clinical trials presented at the committee meeting suggested that the vaccine also offers protection against other virus types responsible for causing cervical cancer, including HPV types 31, 33, and 45, the next most common cancer-causing strains. In addition, the data presented showed a duration of immunity of 6.4 years.
In contrast, Gardasil is a quadrivalent vaccine with activity against 4 HPV types: HPV types 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer, and HPV types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts. This extra activity means that this vaccine is also indicated for the prevention of genital warts in girls and women, and it has now been recommended for that same indication for boys and men. However, the current data on Gardasil in males extends only out 2 to 3 years, and in women extends only out 5 years.
The immunity is not life long as far as we know.
Sure. I feel that its too new of a vaccine to know all there is to know about it. This whole thing was just sprung on us. The school nurse came into school and gave my girls (all girls in their class) some information about it, but not a whole lot. My girls came home telling me they needed to get a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, thats how they put it. The school nurse told the girls that it is HIGHLY recommend they get the vaccine... without giving us a whole lot of info about it. From what I get by my girls reaction to the 'presentation' I feel they are being pressured to have the vaccine. I do have until October to do all the research I need to do before I make my final decision, but I dont see that there is a need to rush it for my girls. I want to really think this thru. The research Ive been doing is not looking good. It mentions siezures, brain damage, all sorts.
Ill be honest with you. Im ready to be flamed and blasted here but we teach our kids that the best protection against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies is to practice abstinence. That its nothing to be ashamed of, waiting to have sex, even if plenty of their peers are doing it. Now, if they wait till marriage, which I do not believe is beyond the realm of possibility, it isnt impossible, if they also marry someone who is a virgin, what are their chances of getting the form of cervical cancer that is 'prevented' by this vaccine? If their husbands had been promiscuous, does this increase their chances of getting it, would he be able to be tested for these sorts of diseases. These are the things I, as their mother, need to consider before I allow them, at the age of 12, to get a vaccine that is reletively new and very controvercial, one that *I* dont have enough information on. I would need to weigh up the pros and cons here. Thats the angle Im coming from.
Fwiw, we have used it as an opportunity to discuss sex and sexual relationships. I dont spook my kids, but I do lay out all the cards on the table. I do HIGHLY recommend they wait to have sex, and I do recommend that it IS best for them to wait till marriage. It is such a personal thing and I know its not a very popular thing to advocate these days but ... hey, this is us.
According to the CDC,
As of June 22, 2011 there have been a total 68 VAERS reports of death among those who have received Gardasil® .
Of course, they say that the deaths may not have been due to the shot, but healthy 12-25 year olds don't typically just die of no other reason. To me, the risk is absolutely not worth the hypothetical benefits, and I hope this vaccine is recalled before more young people are killed or irreversibly damaged by it.
No blasting here, either. My ex took our daughter for it when it first came out. As soon as I found out (she'd only had the first shot), I made it very clear to the ped he took her to that I would take her to court for treating my child against our court order if I found out that she had continued the course of shots OR provided any treatment w/o my agreement.
Having said that... As she's going off to college next year, I may rethink the situation.
Pretty much every one has sex eventually. Even if they wait until they are married. The idea that one is protected by just never having sex doesn't make sense to me. Very, very few people go through their whole lives having sex with only one person who has only ever had sex with them (even couples to start out that way don't necessary stay that way).
I know way to many couples (even church going couples) who have split because of screwing around.
I think telling our teens "if you wait to have sex until you are married you will be safe" is a lie. A big fat lie. I think basing health care choices on an untruth is irresponsible.
It is true that until one becomes sexually active, there are a bunch of health concerns they don't have to worry about it. But I don't see it as a long term plan. I don't see marriage as the answer.
I think this choice really comes down to whether or not one feels the vaccine is safe enough. I think it's safer than riding in a car, and we do that all the time.
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