Gardasil has not been extensively tested in women over 26 which is why it's not FDA approved for women older than that.
The Gardasil fact sheet says that research is still being conducted on the effectiveness of the vaccine on women 27+.
If it's proven safe over time, I think Gardasil should be required just like any other vaccine. If we can essentially eradicate cervical cancer with this vaccine, then I see it as a matter of national -- not sexual -- health.
I would
absolutely get my daughter to get the vaccine as soon as she was old enough. For me, it's not a matter of my daughter thinking it's okay to have sex. If, God forbid, my daughter were a victim of sexual assault or molestation she would at least be protected from HPV. Besides, I got hepatitis vaccinations when I was in middle school (some strains are sexually transmitted) and I never got the idea that it was okay to have sex or anything like that. It was just another routine vaccine for me.
I probably wouldn't even get into the shot's purpose with my daughter. It's not like my mom or dad ever sat down with me and explained how TB or polio was contracted. I just knew I had to get a bunch of shots.
Threaded Mode
