Spinoff on early puberty thread

[tessa67]

I am sure everyone has heard about the new HPV vaccine that is available. Professional recommendation is that girls get it around age 11 or 12, but is is approved for girls as young as 9. I have heard of parents getting upset when the doctor recommends it. I don't get that. Granted, it is unlikely a 9 year old girl will be sexually active, but a 12 or 13 could.

The vaccine is given three times over a year I think, before a girl is sexually active. It is like some parents think the doctor is calling their daughter a tramp by recommending she get the vaccine. It is a fact that the virus can be transmitted by sexual activity not including intercourse, or even if condoms are used. Some opponents think the vaccine will increase promiscuity. Come on, this is a vaccine that can prevent CANCER! If a parents is worried about that then they wouldn't have to tell their dauther what the vaccine is for. Approximately 80% of women will get the virus by age 50.

I think my opinion is pretty clear but I am curious to hear opinions on this and whether or not you mothers of young daughters are going to have them get it, or already have.

Step onto the soapbox....

[nanci39]

I wish this was around when my daughter was a pre-teen. She is now 20 and has been sexually active for a couple of years. I like to think she's been safe, I am somewhat of an activist and she's been taught well, but we can never be 100% sure.

The closed-minded reactions really piss me off. People need to get over their hang-ups and open their eyes. It's a preventative measure, not a license to have sex. Kids are going to experiment with their sexualty, I would much rather they have a fighting chance instead of sticking my head in the sand.

[Cici]

My DD is only 5. But you can bet your bippy she will get the vaccine when she is old enough. I also don't understand the view of some parents(like my neighbors) that don't immunize their children for routine childhood illnesses like chicken pox, and the less rare, but horrible, polio, Dtap, etc. Of course, their child, their choice.

[mailady]

My daughter is 14 and will be getting the vaccine.

[bonnie24k]

I think this vaccine sounds great but I am still alittle uneducated as to this and will most definately be researching this over the next few years. DD will be 10 in April, anyone seen any articles that are easy to understand most of what I have seen is over my head.

Bonnie

[3togetready]

My dd is 9 and she will be getting it even though she will not be happy with me. I didn't realize that it was 3 shots in one year. I don't think I will tell her until the Dr. says it time for the first shot.

[MomofAngels]

As someone who has had HPV abnormal cells detected & treated, my daughter will be getting the vaccine on her next office visit.

[teacupps]

I have a question about it. How come on the ads it says it is for age 26 and under? Why wouldn't it work for me at 33? Do they assume I have already had the virus? I just think that every woman should get it if it even only lowers the risk of getting cancer by a little bit. Is there something I'm missing about how it works? I plan on asking my Dr about it when my youngest goes in for his next set of vaccines, but thought you guys might have some thoughts.

[threegirlsthenaboy]

My daughter just had her 10 year check up and was not offered it. On the vaccination chart on the wall in the office, it looks like she'll get it next year or the following year.

I could have sworn it was a one shot deal...

Edited to add: I just did a little research and it is a three shot series. First I heard of that! From what I read girls are encouraged to get it between 11 and 12 although it has been tested effective on girls as young as nine. I think they say up to age 26 simply because for it to be effective you can't have been exposed to to the four HPV types...they are testing it's effectiveness on older women.

[lisacb]

My dds doctor brought it up at her last Well child visit in November (she's 12). She supports it, however it's not yet covered by insurance and she can't even get it yet. I think it's a great idea, however, I'm hesitant to jump in too quickly with new immunizations.

Lisa

[LBeadle]

If I had a dughter she would get it as early as possible. This is about the worst cancer for a woman to get and I would de everything to protect my child.

[bobswife]

We are an Air Force family. My understanding is that this is available through our military treatment facilities. Interestingly enough, none of our pediatricians have said anything to me about it (I have an 11 year old). I think I will ask them today when I take my other DD in. I am all for vaccines that prevent cancer. I believe that parents have to think for their children in these cases. I don't believe that kids think so well when their hormones start raging -- I certainly didn't and I am very lucky that I have not had any issues. I was in my 20s in the mid 80s and we barely heard about stds, aids or cancers that were sexually transmitted.

[sexysmurf]

Originally Posted by nanci39

The closed-minded reactions really piss me off. People need to get over their hang-ups and open their eyes. It's a preventative measure, not a license to have sex. Kids are going to experiment with their sexualty, I would much rather they have a fighting chance instead of sticking my head in the sand.

My thoughts exactly!!! My DD is 5 and I"ll get it for her

[Cici]

I thought I heard that you had to have this BEFORE you were sexually active?
I guess that leaves us with kids out in the cold.

[lenamom]

Before reading this, please know that I am pro-vaccination. But vaccines are not a cure-all, and the newer vaccines that have been around less than 10 years have no historical backing. Did you know that they don't actually know if getting the chicken pox vaccine as a child will keep you from getting it later, possibly as an adult?

To the poster who implied her neighbors are whacko for not vaccinating, she needs to educate herself on the dangers of vaccines. Everything that is a medicine has "side-effects", even as basic as aspirin or acetaminophen. I followed the dr's advice and vaccinated my first two children. Both had horrible seizures within 12 hours of their 6 month, 12 month, and 24 month vaccinations. My son's 6 month seizure lasted TWO HOURS. In the ER, they finally backed away from him and said they had done all they could do, and he might never come out of it. I hope none of you ever have to watch your sweet infant convulsing uncontrollably for 120 minutes. I am sorry to say that it took me this long to figure out to STOP VACCINATING THEM. There is something in our genetic makeup that reacts horribly with the DTaP, and we are not alone. There are currently thousands of children annually who have seizures in reaction to the DTaP. It is much less than the previous DPT, but is still a danger. The CDC only tracks those adverse reactions that are reported. Of all my kids' seizures, none were ever reported by the doctors. They acknowledged the direct link, but gave excuses of protocol, paperwork, etc. and it never got done. The vaccination sheets you are provided with at the dr's office that lists the risks and side effects is not entirely accurate, because of the small percentage that are actually reported.

I will continue to vaccinate my future children, but unless your child is going into immediate daycare, a foreign country, or a similar danger to their health, there is no need to rush the vaccinations into their systems. Educate yourself on this very serious subject and then choose your own vaccination schedule.

[Cuthie]

We skipped the MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) because our son is allergic to eggs and it is in the vaccine. He's had Measles but not a bad case... thank goodness!

Anaphylaxis due to allergic reaction to eggs is deadly. Measles, Mumps, and/or Rubella are not (in most cases).

VERY difficult decision for us to make.

[Cici]

To the poster who implied her neighbors are whacko for not vaccinating, she needs to educate herself on the dangers of vaccines.

I believe that poster is me. And I never implied my neighbors were whacko- I said

I also don't understand the view of some parents(like my neighbors) that don't immunize their children

I ended that statement with

Of course, their child, their choice.

I feel I am quite educated on the dangers and benefits of vaccines and for my family anyway, the benefits outweigh the risk.

[Cuthie]

Originally Posted by McLeaderCici

...the benefits outweigh the risk...

That is a good point... it is a judgement call.

[lenamom]

Originally Posted by McLeaderCici

I believe that poster is me. And I never implied my neighbors were whacko- I said
{quote]I also don't understand the view of some parents(like my neighbors) that don't immunize their children
I ended that statement with


I feel I am quite educated on the dangers and benefits of vaccines. And for my family anyway, the benefits outweigh the risk.

MC:

Well now you understand perhaps a bit better why some people don't follow the immunization schedule or don't immunize at all. A little enlightenment never hurt anyone, and the same for a reminder to not be judgemental. Unfortunately, some sane people get grouped in with the people who are making uneducated choices (in this case, choosing flatly not to vaccinate) for their children.

Bottom line: immunizations are good, but educate yourself on their side effects - it may be your child who has a reaction. Do some real research: online forums don't count, try MEDLine or a medical journal.

[Suz]

I have 16 and 19 yr old daughters. 16 y/o will begin her vaccine next dr visit. 19 y/o just went to the gyn and doesn't want to get the vaccine even though her mother is begging her to. Since she's 19 I can't make her get it. As an adult she has to sign for it. She;s deathly afraid of needles, more than the risk of HPV I guess. She PROMISES me she'll get it next visit. We'll see.

I asked the gyn about the vaccine for me and she said basically if you are in a monogamous relationship you don't need to worry about it any more than you have to worry about catching any other STD

[nutella_freak]

I'm a nurse and attended a drug rep supper regarding Merck's Gardisil. The vaccines aren't recommended for older women because chances are these women do no have multiple partners. That doesn't mean you cannot get the vaccine. The hope is that you can get your daughter vaccined before she starts having intercourse and the recommended age is hopefully before daughters start. Once you contact HPV, the vaccine is not effective. One fact that isn't advertised is that bisexual/homosexual males can get the vaccine as well.

sandy

[champion1]

It sounds great and thank you for posting this info. I'm also hesitant with new immunizations My daughter is 12, I think I'll look into it more in a few years.