HPV vaccine uproar, sign of things to come?

Question

All the uproar over vaccinating girls for the HPV virus made me think. If there was a vaccine for the AIDS virus would people object to their children getting the vaccine? If so what makes it different from the HPV vaccine currently offered that people so vehemently oppose for their middle school daughters (an age before they begin being sexually active as to thus protect them whenever they become active weather it be 16, 26 or 36.)

So my question really is, if there was an AIDS vaccine and they were giving it to all 5th graders, would you object to your child recieving the vaccine?

Answer 1

Its a sad question because parents would be less likely to be against an HIV vaccine because the disease is scarier. However, HPV is hundreds of times more common and contagious (I have heard that up to 1/4 people have had it at one point or another), so the truth is that the HPV vaccine is just as needed if not more.

Answer 2

I currently have a child that will be going into 5th grade next year.
I think that it's great that there's an HPV vaccine......but I'm not willing to let the government and Big Phamaceutical companies decide when, where, or if my child Has to get the vaccine. Yes, I understand the fear that some have about the vaccine promoting sexual activity. I was a teenager once myself. No matter what I was taught, (I was well informed) I still managed to do what I wanted. I don't think anything will stop some young people from having sex if they intend to. However, I want to wait and see what the outcome of the MASS immunization of our nations little girls is before I'm willing to get the shot for my daughter. I've been prescribed drugs that were approved by the FDA in the past only to see them recalled for serious side effects. I now have to wait and see what's gonna happen to me. When the new varicella vaccine came out (chicken pox) my daughter's pediatrician even recommended to wait a year or two to see what the wide spread results would be. Nothing happened-therefore she did eventually get the vaccine. If there was an AIDS vaccine I would have the same opinion. I believe that it's MY RIGHT to decide when, where or if. What's the Government gonna try and force people to do next for our safety--make people who are overweight pay more taxes, make smokers live and work in enclosed cities, send people with contagious diseases like AIDS go live on an island somewhere?? Do you have a little girl? Are you willing for the government to decide her fate? I think that vaccines are a good thing, but I just can't trust them when they are rushed through the approval process. Take a look at some thalidimide babies from the 50's and 60's, and 70's. Yes, I know that the awful results of the thalidimide were what innitially forced the government to pass laws to enforce more thorough testing of drugs---but drugs that are approved everyday have the risk of having to be recalled. Listen, todays required vaccinations for school children are for illnesses that are easily transmitted from child to child. It makes sense to require those vaccinations-also
those vaccinations have been around for many many years. We know what to expect from them. The HPV virus and even the AIDS virus are viruses that are transmitted through bodily fluids (such as bllod) or through sexual contact. Those are the only ways one can get the illnesses. Unless schools start promoting orgies during PE, afterschool sex parties, and heroin junkie shoot-up classes- I'm just not gonna submit my family to the risk that the government and drug companies are wrong. Have they been right about most things in the past?? Many are upset about the war, what happened during Katrina etc. Why are there so many people, maybe even you, that are so willing to trust them and believe that they must be right about this one thing. Look at their track record. It has not always been so good. I am willing to admit that this administration has made some mistakes. Every administration has. I do know that many liberal minded people have been critical of the current admin. I don't know, but are those liberal minded people against this vaccine? Do those liberal minded people trust the administration with our health safety but not with anything else? I would find that quite odd. No government or drug company is infallible.

Answer 3

I respect your question. My answer is that I love the idea that we now have a vaccine to prevent and irreversible STD. But, some young girls (5th grade) aren't mature enough to know that just because I'm getting a vaccine to prevent an STD doesn't mean I have to have sex. It's the parent's responsibility to explain that to their child. Thus, making it the parent's responsibility to determine whether or not their child will receive the vaccine.

Answer 4

If there were an AIDS vaccine, my child would be the first in line for it. Same goes for the HPV vaccine. I can´t understand why it has caused an uproar and how any parent could think it encourages promiscuity. A 9-year old isn´t even going to understand what promiscuity means. I would tell my kid that it´s a vaccine to help prevent them from getting cervical cancer.

Answer 5

Well to answer your question, the Government should not be allowed to force anyone, or make it manditory to have any procedure done. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease, I think we should be more concerned about talking to your children about the dangers of having unprotected sex, and the risk. The vaccine may prevent one disease but what about all the others. Children are easily mislead and think just because they have been vaccinated that is going to keep them safe. I am more concerned about parents not taking the responsibility of educating their children and leaving it up to schools and goverment to protect their children. What next, are we going to make it manditory for teenagers who have numerous children to get there tubes tied to prevent them from having more?

Answer 6

Good question.....Personally, I dont see what the uproar is all about. There are plenty of deterrants to have sex at an early age, this has to do with saving lives. Best offense is a good defense, right? Well then how come people would be opposed to defending their children from a deadly virus? Doesnt make sense to me.

To answer your questions though, I would definately not be opposed to my children receiving vaccination for HIV/AIDS. It wouldnt keep me from informing them of the dangers of having sex before theyre ready, its more than just AIDS, but I would sleep a lot better at night knowing that HIV/AIDS is not something I have to worry about. I think the response to this question will be an overwhelming "Duh, of course I wouldnt," but its only because of HIV/AIDS popularity. Like you said, it really is no different....im interested to see how it turns out