HPV Vaccine: Mandatory?

ASUADPi · #1 02-04-2007, 01:12 PM

The vaccine is called Gardasil. I actually asked the nurse at my GYN's office in Nov/Dec about it (when I went it for my Depo shot). She said that my GYN was actually recommending for her patients to get the shot.

www.gardasil.com has more information.

Here's what I don't get, Merck is saying that girls/women from 9-26 should get the shot, what about women older than that? What about women who are older than 26 but not sexually active (ie. haven't been in years or still virgins)? Shouldn't they get the vaccine as well?

I'm not to sure I would want my 9 year old getting a vaccine for HPV. Yes, if when she gets older she comes to me and say's "I'm having sex". Hell, she be taken to the GYN and put on BCP's and given the vaccine. But I'm not sure I would want my 9 year old having the shot and thinking "hey it's okay when I get older to have sex". Because no matter what parents say, teenagers are going to experiment. We can just guide them to make the right decisions (I'm not a parent but a teacher, which means I basically act like a parent).

UGAalum94 · #2 02-04-2007, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

I'm not to sure I would want my 9 year old getting a vaccine for HPV. Yes, if when she gets older she comes to me and say's "I'm having sex". Hell, she be taken to the GYN and put on BCP's and given the vaccine. But I'm not sure I would want my 9 year old having the shot and thinking "hey it's okay when I get older to have sex". Because no matter what parents say, teenagers are going to experiment. We can just guide them to make the right decisions (I'm not a parent but a teacher, which means I basically act like a parent).

Is this the comment you mean? It seems to suggest that sexual activity is taken for granted.

SigKapSweetie · #3 02-04-2007, 10:51 PM

Yep. By the time they're having sex (and especially by the time they're admitting to having sex), it can be too late for the vaccine.

kddani · #4 02-04-2007, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigKapSweetie

Yep. By the time they're having sex (and especially by the time they're admitting to having sex), it can be too late for the vaccine.

Well, it's not too late, but that is the most effective. It protects against several strains of HPV. And I believe it's only good for like four years so you'll have to get them redone anyway.

SigKapSweetie · #5 02-04-2007, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kddani

Well, it's not too late, but that is the most effective. It protects against several strains of HPV. And I believe it's only good for like four years so you'll have to get them redone anyway.

It protects against 6 and 11, which cause genital warts, and 16 and 18, which are two of the most virulent cancer-causing strains.

As of now, they've confirmed the vaccine's effectiveness for up to four years. They don't know how long it lasts past four years, because the study was only four years long, so to cover their rear ends in case it doesn't last longer, they recommend boosters.

kddani · #6 02-04-2007, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigKapSweetie

As of now, they've confirmed the vaccine's effectiveness for up to four years. They don't know how long it lasts past four years, because the study was only four years long, so to cover their rear ends in case it doesn't last longer, they recommend boosters.

And hopefully four years from now they'll have ones that protect against even more strains- I believe they're working on that currently.

I think it's a really positive thing for women's health.

SigKapSweetie · #7 02-04-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kddani

I think it's a really positive thing for women's health.

Co-sign!

kddani · #8 02-04-2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

I'm not to sure I would want my 9 year old getting a vaccine for HPV. Yes, if when she gets older she comes to me and say's "I'm having sex". Hell, she be taken to the GYN and put on BCP's and given the vaccine. But I'm not sure I would want my 9 year old having the shot and thinking "hey it's okay when I get older to have sex". Because no matter what parents say, teenagers are going to experiment. We can just guide them to make the right decisions (I'm not a parent but a teacher, which means I basically act like a parent).

Chances are VERY good that your 9 year old would never even dream of going to you and saying that she's having sex. Like you said, teenagers are going to experiment. But why is getting a shot that only protects against a very specific and narrow set of strains of one disease going to encourage her to have sex? It's not like it's a magical anti-HIV shot or something (using HIV b/c its probably the most "scary" disease for a kid to think of getting from having sex). If she's educated and knows the facts before she has sex, she'll be prepared. But she doesn't necessarily need to know them at age nine. Treat it like any other vaccine.