Is 10 years old too young to receive the gardasil vaccine?

Question

I have a family history of cervical cancer. Almost every female on both sides have had cervical cancer, and two have died from it. I was at my OB today, and they have it posted that they recommend it from 9-26.
The doctor suggested that I go ahead and start her on it now. But, I am not sure. I DO NOT want her to have to go through what I did. ( it was rather bothersome, and the recovery was not any fun. :( )

Answer 1

Absolutely!! Much too young.

As far as I'm concerned it is really a bit of an issue, particularly with respect to young school age girls where the Gardasil vaccine is also being promoted strongly. This vaccination cannot be taken lightly and although it is said to provide protection for upto 85% of HPV, there seems to have been an insufficient length of time (approx. 5 years) of trials to determine any likely side effects. This and the fact that the trials where conducted by the manufacturerers themselves (Merck and GlaxoSmithKline) and not an independant body, is of concern in itself! Further the age of the study group was 15 -26 years, and yet it is being promoted to girls under 15 that have yet to reach puberty. What effect is this likely to have? Who knows?
There are numerous articles on the safety and possible side effects and indeed the long term effectiveness of Gardasil to raise sufficient doubt in ones mind as to the necessity of having this particular vaccine. In all it appears that this drug was rushed through before full approval and in fact the FDA have stipulated for Merck to continue the monitoring and long term trial for girls under 15 years to confirm its safety. For us as parents there is sufficient doubt as to the safety that we postponed getting the vaccination for our daughter, until further studies and information comes to hand.

Following are some links to articles on the vaccine which you may wish to read.

Ultimately it comes down to a risk evaluation of your own self and if you believe that you may be sufficiently at risk of contracting the disease and the precautions that you may need to take so as to minimise the risk. Surely your daughter isn't sexual active at 10? And if she is, one can only really despair!!!!!

Answer 2

The vaccine, Gardasil, protects against four HPV types, which together cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently licensed this vaccine for use in girls/women, ages 9-26 years. The vaccine is given through a series of three shots over a six-month period.

The HPV vaccine is recommended for 11-12 year-old girls, and can be given to girls as young as 9. The vaccine is also recommended for 13-26 year-old girls/women who have not yet received or completed the vaccine series.

These recommendations have been proposed by the ACIP—a national group of experts that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine issues. These recommendations are now being considered by CDC.

Why is the HPV vaccine recommended for such young girls?
Ideally, females should get the vaccine before they are sexually active. This is because the vaccine is most effective in girls/women who have not yet acquired any of the four HPV types covered by the vaccine. Girls/women who have not been infected with any of those four HPV types will get the full benefits of the vaccine.

Why is the HPV vaccine only recommended for girls/women ages 9 to 26?
The vaccine has been widely tested in 9-to-26 year-old girls/women. But research on the vaccine’s safety and efficacy has only recently begun with women older than 26 years of age. The FDA will consider licensing the vaccine for these women when there is research to show that it is safe and effective for them.-

Answer 3

Since Gardasil prevents HPV, a sexually transmitted disease, it is important that it be given before people become sexually active. In fact, it is recommended that Gardasil be routinely given to girls when they are 11 or 12 years of age. Gardasil can be started as early as age 9 though, and can also be given to women 13 to 26 years old.

Answer 4

9 -26 is what we learned in our Psych of Human Sexuality class.

Answer 5

No. It is one more vaccine to help protect her.

Answer 6

Get the vaccination. It can't hurt.