HPV Vaccine?

Question

Why should we give this vaccine to our children when we don't know the long term affects? Have there or is there any long term testing being done on it? What if it is mandated and years down the road, because we where forced to give our children a vaccine that we know nothing about, they develope some other problems?
Do you think it should be an option or mandated?

If there has been long term testing done, could you please provide me with a website or something that I could look at. Thanks. :)

Answer 1

I don't think it should be mandated that parents have their children vaccinated for HPV but I do think it should be a option. Most people who have HPV don't even know it, they can get it from a partner who was unaware that they had it. I personally plan on getting the vaccination because I am in the age group that is at the most risk of getting HPV. Although it can clear on it's own, I wouldn't want my child to have to go through the emotional and physical stress of having to deal with it. Having HPV and knowing about it is a very heavy burden, you like feel less of a person than you did before, you become less interested in sex, you are afraid of passing it to your partner and the list goes on.

I think all parents should do research on the vaccine and decide it is what's best for their child. Personally ,I would never want my child to go through what a person goes through who has HPV.

Answer 2

For such a new and untested (in the long term) vaccine. Clearly it should be an option and not mandated, unless the pharma company which developed this rather expensive vaccine,wishs to pay for each American child to receive the vaccine...

Plus, dangerous as some genital hpv strains are, is the danger that great and that acute, that it warrants complusion


There is certainly no political climate in the UK (im british) to make this hpv vaccination complusory. I just hope that this rush to mandate in America, isnt being driven by the soft whispering of pharma company lobbyists in US politicians ears, but instead the earnest desire to protect the future sexual health of American children

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ADDENDUM for Gumdrop girl
"I have had two doses of this vaccine already. And y'know what? I somehow do NOT feel compelled to hook up with random strangers."

As a Briton, Ive find it curious how Americans link the hpv vaccine with the increased desire to have sex. It is not a link that is readily made or assumed in Britain.

I realise you are an epidemiologist, however Im not sure that two years is PLENTY of time to show long term side effects. Maybe it is sufficient for Medical licensing purposes. There are risks with all medicines. The risk due to the hpv vaccine is of the same nature, as that of a woman taking the first pill in the sixties. It's understandable that people are cautious.

Answer 3

I feel that it should be an option. Out of everything I have seen in local papers I have not come across long term testing. I agree what if we vacinate all of these young children with this and then it leads to larger health problems. Furthermore, the price of this vaccine is very expensive. At $360 I feel that it would be unreasonable to mandate parents to pay for this when some may not be in the financial position to do so.

Answer 4

You can always talk to a physician who administers the vaccination about the pros and cons of the shots. Your primary care physician can help you with any questions you have. Go ahead and read this website too.

http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/gpr/09/1/gpr090106.html

If you aren't happy with your Physician's answers, you can also call the nearest Planned Parenthood in your area.

If all else fails, keep searching the internet on the HPV Vaccine until you find some answers you are happy with.

Answer 5

Human papillomavirus, or as it is more commonly known as HPV, is a sexually transmitted with a high frequency rate. It is transmitted through direct skin contact during sexual activity. This virus is most commonly found in sexually active teenagers and people in their early 20s. The virus exits in 40 types and affects the genital area.

Answer 6

I had it done a few weeks ago. The FDA wouldn't approve it if there were any bad cases. I saw on a website that longterm testing was done. would rather be safer than sorry. I think that you should have an oppinion on getting it. you shouldn't be forced to get it.

Answer 7

Read up on HPV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hpv) and the vaccine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HPV_vaccine) and if you have questions about long term effects look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardasil or check out gardasils webpage.. Make an informed decision.. however, your daughters will be having sex and it is important as a parent to protect them with what you think is best!

Answer 8

Ask and you shall receive. Here is the peer-reviewed publication of the clinical trials for Gardasil
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/adis/dgs/2006/00000066/00000009/art00008

from the Abstract
"▴ In randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in >20 000 young women (aged 16-26 years), the vaccine was highly effective in preventing cervical dysplasia of any grade and external genital lesions related to HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 infection. These women were followed up for an average of 2 years."

So you have a trial of n>20k and 2 year longitudinal follow up. How much more testing do you want?

and for more info, Google Scholar
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=clinical+trials+gardasil&hl=en&lr=&btnG=Search

As for the mommy whose limited education makes her afraid of vaccines, we DO know what vaccines can do for children. *YOU* are too young to remember the days when measles killed children and entire villages were wiped out by smallpox. Ever seen an iron lung? No. You can thank vaccines for helping society forget the scourge of infectious disease.

As for the assertion that vaccines cause autism? Several major studies showed no epidemiological link between autism and vaccines. This one originally published in Lancet (a medical journal of the highest repute) summarizes best: http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/gingernut/lancet/Brent%20Taylor%20June%201999.pdf

Vaccines haven't contained mercury in 30 years, and autism cases have been rising for the past 20. As a professional who studies these things extensively, I fail to see the link here. I just see paranoid schozophrenics posting delusions on the internet and scaring otherwise reasonable people into believing the absurd.

To the tin-foil hat wearer who mentioned thimerosal: Loosen the hat. It's cutting circulation to your brain. Thimerosal-free vaccines have been available for eons. Thimerosal is NOT being used. Have you EVER had any experience studying vaccines, immunology, or pharmacology? Or do you just read conspiracy theories all day?

ADDENDUM FOR ANTHONY B: I have had two doses of this vaccine already. And y'know what? I somehow do NOT feel compelled to hook up with random strangers. When I got my tetanus booster, I didn't feel compelled to go stomping on rusty nails in my bare feet, either.

I do know, however, that someday, I'm going to marry, and because I've chosen to wait a little longer than many brides, chances are my husband will have been a few places and known a few women before me. I don't want to take the chance with my personal health. HPV has a prevalence of 70%.

As for criticizing the 2 year follow-up. You do realize that if we required the FDA to follow up longer than that, we'd NEVER get any new, life-saving treatment. Tell a cervical cancer patient she can't have her chemo because it needs another 8 years of trials. Two years is PLENTY of time for follow up.

Answer 9

http://www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/thimerosal.htm#thi
To the lady that works at our local health department...
There is mercury in vaccines, the presevative Thimerosal. Imagine that.

Answer 10

Way To Go Gumdrop Girl!!!