It's that time of year again in school where they are doing the Family Health classes. The school sent out a letter encouraging parents to vaccinate their daughters with the HPV shot. My daughter will be eligible to get it in 3 months when she turns 11. I am on the fence about this vaccination and sort of leaning towards not getting it for her due to hearing more negative things about it then positive. If I could, I'd like to hear from anyone about this vaccination, and whether or not they think it is a good idea to do. I appreciate anyone's input on this regardless of what your opinion is on this issue.

Thanks in advance.

What negative things have you heard about the vaccination? As a health care professional, I am an advocate for vaccinations in general, as the adverse reactions have to be reported and followed up. I have a daughter and have had her immunized. Did you follow the Jane Goody story?

I have a son so I can't speak with authority

http://public-healthcare-issues.suite101.com/article.cfm/facts_about_hpv_and_the_sex_shot

is a link that might answer some questions for you

Well, I'd like to hear people's opinions based on what they have heard or read, instead of basing it on what I've heard or read.

But one of the key points I've read and heard about is that the vaccination only last 5 years, but that a woman may not even contract the HPV virus until her 50's. So what is the point of getting it? Also, it has been suggested to get a booster shot after those 5 years, but there is no proof as to how much longer that booster shot will last. Nothing is concrete as to how effective this vaccination is, so it's almost as if you are getting the shot for nothing.

I think there was a law that actually made this mandatory in Texas.

As for the shot... From what I have heard there is not enough data to say that this product really works. Everything seems to be yes and no. I'm not in the health care industry so if new data has been released recently then a good quality health care provider should know.

I'd try and talk to people with kids that may have had the shot already. It would be great if this product really does what they say.

I would definitely look at the allergic reactions to make sure that if you decide to do so you are aware of anything that may arise and be able to act accordingly.

As with any vaccine there can be a possibility of reaction. I always ask the doctors how long those reactions might take to appear. If it is a few hours then I'd consider being withing help range. Eat at the hospital restaurant and look around the gift shop. NOT taking the child back to school or leaving them alone.

As with any medications. I'm always on the safe side.

I sure hope this product works.

The follow up on the trials that have been done found that 100% of the women vaccinated were still immune after 5 years. Now I am not an expert on vaccinations per se, but the research that gets done only makes them better. There was a certain lot of measles vaccine that was found to diminish after 10 years..resulting in an outbreak in college kids a while back. It only reinforces my confidence in the CDC that they effectively follow these for YEARS...just my opinion.

I'm all for it, if I had a daughter, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

A few months ago, there was an incredibly long (and sometimes acrimnious) discussion about this topic, with lots of opinions and information given. You might want to look for it (I think it was under parenting but not sure). I'll try to find it as well and post a link here.

I'm just wondering if it is giving us false hope?

Plus, it doesn't protect you against all the cervical cancers, so who's to say this vaccination will work on which cervical cancer?

It's just so new that I'm worried that there hasn't been enough research or studies done on it to say without a doubt that it is 100% effective.

And so far, it's not mandatory here in the state of Virginia.

I know my ex bf had his daughter vaccinated, but she's 16 so who knows what the long term effects will be. I know she had no adverse side effects from it.

As for people getting it later in life. If they are a carrier of the virus it can be passed to males. I've read a few cases where men have contracted mouth and throat cancers. yea, kinda sick I know. But with that shot could she be protecting her husband of the future? Flash to the future! The men I've read about get it also in their 50's. So now you might think. "The husband or even wife now have a deadly disease, and children may lose a parent."

Brings things into a bigger picture. I'd hate to be a grandparent and think. "If I had only gotten my child the shot."

But what if the shot is what all the NAY sayers say it is! Then you're a parent that is now with a ...............

If it were me.. I'd be leaning towards it. But I'm in Texas and we are forced to have this task completed.

I don't know what to think of any of it. I hear negatives and positives. And, yes, perhaps it could have prevented what happened to Jane Goody.

When I took my daughter to get all her updated immunizations, I asked her doctor, (whom we've known for over 20 years and who has authored child care books), and he said he preferred she wait for a couple more years in order for more information to pan out.

The vaccine was developed to protect against the most common strains of HPV, know to cause cervical cancer. So far the evidence seems very promising, and no it is not 100%. If it doesn't work, what has she lost? If it does have lasting effects what has she gained?

it's not mandatory in Texas....the house overturned the governor.

but i do think there isn't enough information out there yet. i would talk to your doctor and get the advice from someone you trust

The only thing I can tell you is that nothing is guaranteed in this world. You need to weigh the risks and possible benefits and in your mind, decide what is the best answer for you and your daughter. The known risks can be severe but the likelihood of them happening is small. And, even if it's just one cancer (and I do believe it is the most common type of cervical cancer that this can prevent) that's prevented by this vaccine, that's one less for your daughter to worry about as she gets older.

My roommate in college had cervical cancer at 22, that we now believe she got from the hpv virus. She had to have part of her cervix removed and for years had to go for monthly pap smears. It's been 20 years and she's fine now but it was an incredibly scary thing to go through, especially at such a young age.

The thing is, hpv IS preventable, now. And since it is male-carried and most men will never know they are carriers, there is no way to ever know that she is 100% safe when she becomes sexually active, even if she uses condoms 100% of the time. Eventually, she is going to be in a meaningful, monogamous relationship. They will be tested for std's. They will have unprotected sex. But if there is no test to see if he is a carrier? She will have done all the right and responsible things, and he will as well. But she's still at risk.

I don't know if any of my ramblings make any sense but I hope they give you a little food for thought, whatever you ultimately decide

p.s., still looking for that thread.

My daughter is turning 11 this year also.
The facts are,
*Your daughter at some point (probably sooner than you'd like) will become sexually active.
*HPV is a commonly contracted STD, that alot of people may not even realize they have.
*Men only seem to be affected with some unappealing blemishes, if at all.

*HPV can kill a woman, or cause any number of other serious problems for her and her reproductive system.
take care,

And also, we as parents can only do the best we can and make decisions and hope and pray their right. Whatever you decide, you could look back in 20 years and say "if only" (hindsight is 20/20 after all) but only you can make the decision NOW based on what is right for you NOW.

See, that's what I'm thinking. The minute it was said that there was a possible preventative vaccination for cervical cancer, every one got so excited about it and it's almost as if they think this could actually be a cure. And I feel like there is so much focus on the positive aspects of it that researchers don't want to put much emphasis on anything negative about it, or not yet anyway.

I feel like I'm damned if I do, and damned if I don't!

I really do appreciate everyone's insight on this topic. I think I can honestly say that this is at at the top of my list as being one of the hardest decisions I've had to make for my daughter.

I really will be giving this a lot of thought and consideration, and truly hope I can make the best decision for her.

when I was married my stepdaughter contracted HPV. she was 17. she had to have most of her cervix removed to fight the cancer and she will never be able to have children as a result

anything that will spare a child that misery is worth it

oops