How do you feel about the HPV Vaccine?

Question

Some people think it is a great way to help prevent getting some forms of cervical cancer and it is a health concern that people should take seriously (4000 women will die from cervical cancer this year -- taken from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention). But some people feel that it will provoke sexual activity with teens. Also, some people are afraid of what the long term effects may be if there are any. In the magazine "First--For women On The Go", one woman from Florida stated in a poll that "it wouldn't encourage sexual activity any more than a tetanus shot encourages kids to step on rusty nails" (June 18, 2007 issue, Page 6). What are your thoughts and opinions?

Answer 1

I don't think it will encourage young people to have sex anymore than they normally would. HPV isn't the only STD out there, not to mention pregnancy. Most teens are going to have sex, regardless of all the warnings about STDs and pregnancy.

I think the vaccine is great! However, I'm a little concerned about the long term side effects. I'm planning on getting the vaccine myself (even though I know it won't cure my HPV), but I'd like to see how some people react to it long term.

I personally contracted HPV right after I turned 17. I developed cervical cancer and genital warts from it. I wouldn't wish cervical cancer on ANYONE! It was one of the most painful and emotional times of my life. My parents were absolutely devastated, seeing how I am their only girl. And, now that there is a vaccine to prevent it, then why not get it? It can prevent developing cervical cancer and possibly dying from it! Not to mention, it can prevent genital warts too.

Answer 2

I think if any sort of a shot would provoke sexual activity it would be a birth control shot (or pill for that matter). I don't think it will encourage sexual activity at all. It will just put awareness out there that there are diseases you can get from having sex, and might encourage protection (hopefully). I agree with the HPV vaccine, but I think it should be made aware that the vaccine only works against a few strains of HPV.
I find this vaccine similar to the Hepatitis vaccine. What bad has come out of that one?

Answer 3

I believe that the vaccine is a good way to help prevent cervical cancer. i dont understand why people say it will inscrease sexual activity of teens becuase of the kids were already having sex before the vaccine, whats the difference? they will be safer this way. and if thats what the parents are worried about, they should have talked to their kids about sex and keep a better eye on them.
i dont think there are any long term effects. its just like any other vaccine you could get. whoever can get the vaccine, should

Answer 4

Just recently, this 2006, Texas made it mandatory to inject our 6 year old girls with two strains of Papilloma virus, three times every six months. Just this 2007, it was fought and postponed to go into affect this 2011.

There are many strains of this virus identified and Mercks study only used two strains. The study was also a brief three years long. Few adults revealed a 17% decrease in viral blood serum levels, and yet they did not discount the adults in the study who already had the virus.

The problem is Merck's in too much of a hurry without sufficient evidence to prove that this vaccine works and can cause no harm. They continue to influence state legislatures to make this vaccination mandatory in every state, just like their MMR vaccine, which is an exact correlation and time line of the Autism epidemic.

Resource link with videos explaining the controversy of vaccinations which are quite shocking.
http://discoveries.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/05/mercks_mandator.html

Answer 5

Great injection! It will save lives. It won't cause young girls to become more sexually active. It is simply another injection to help prevent a potentially deadly disease.

Answer 6

The "promiscuity" argument is not rational.

Anyone who thinks that eliminating one STD when we still have AIDS, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital warts and other unpleasant side effects somehow constitutes "consent" to sexual activity has got to be dreaming. Parents need to talk to their kids about the issue, not pretend it doesn't exist.

Answer 7

Yes, I agree with the person you quoted. I got my daughters vaccinated, why not? I want to protect them from anyhting and everything possible.

Answer 8

Any weapon in the war on cancer shoud be utilized.