[Morgan314]

My daughters' pediatrician is encouraging all female patients to receive this vaccine. I have mixed feelings about this. I do not want my girls to get cervical cancer from HPV, but in 15 yrs from now, what if we find out that there are long-term problems associated with the vaccine? Why are males not targeted for this vaccine? I am interested in hearing from nurse/mothers who have or have not gotten their daughters vaccinated and why.

[gt4everpn]

I got the 1st dose of the vaccine 2 mo ago, I feel fine but I don't worry about long term effects, they say they have no indication that it causes any, but of course things can change. I think the vaccine is a good preventative measure against cervical cancer. Males are not targeted because this vaccine is for cervical ca, and men don't have cervixes. My friend had an abnormal pap, so I don't see any harm in getting the vaccination.

[TazziRN]

Nope, and I would not recommend it for my daughter unless her doc (whom I trust implicitely) suggested it.

[jnj818]

Its my understanding that it is not a vaccine against cervical cancer but against HPV which is a major risk factor for cervical cancer. Wouldn't there be even bigger implications if it were a vaccine against cancer?

[Spidey's mom]

There was a recent article in the Wall Street Journal about some of the negative side effects of this vaccine but of course I can't remember details and I'm at work so can't access the WSJ.

Right now - I'm not getting it for my 17 y.o. daughter.

Men carry the virus for HPV - that is how we get it - why wouldn't a vaccine work for them too?

steph

[jnj818]

I believe that I read that they are still researching its use in men. Don't know how long ago that was though.

[VieraGrl1030]

Isnt it true that you can't get the vaccine if you already have the strain that causes cancer. My best friend was just diagnosed and she is very worried and she asked me and I haven't got any real answers for her and I haven't been able to find any. She is very depressed and now she thinks that she is def. going to get cancer and die. It is very hard for me to console her. Any help would be great.

[TazziRN]

Okay, Viera Girl, your friend definitely needs to have a talk with her doc, and soon. Cervical cancer is a curable one if it's caught in time. That means annual exams.

[VieraGrl1030]

Originally Posted by TazziRN

Okay, Viera Girl, your friend definitely needs to have a talk with her doc, and soon. Cervical cancer is a curable one if it's caught in time. That means annual exams.

i have told her this... i think it just needs time to settle in. i am going to keep tabs and she knows i am here if she needs to talk.

[jennyfyre]

I have two daughters ages 20 and 17. Our family physician suggested it for both of them... the 20 year old declined it and the 17 year old decided it was a good idea, so she just got her second dose today. They were both given the information and made up their own minds about it. I don't think I would have pressed them to do it unless it was okayed by our MD. Funny thing is that the 20 yr old is sexually active and the 17 yr old isn't yet! Go figure.