Gardasil

[mnbrn]

I know this is not a medical advice thread. With that being said, is there a source you could direct me to for more info on Gardasil? What do you think about the vaccine: safety, research thoroughness, pros/cons, etc?

[casi, ASN, RN]

cdc.gov is the go to site for anything vaccine.

[kerussll]

I really see no cons to being vaccinated for anything. Every girl should get this.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

I really see no cons to being vaccinated for anything. Every girl should get this.

Why is it that we push this on "girls" and not "boys and girls" They both get the same virus.

[kerussll]

Why is it that we push this on "girls" and not "boys and girls" They both get the same virus.

Because HPV really isn't harmful for boys. They don't get cancer from it like girls do. It would be great if they could be vaccinated too, but I don't know if this is approved for males.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

The FDA approved it for boys last year.

It is important for boys not to get it too so they don't spread it.

FDA approves Merck's Gardasil for boys - Health - Kids and parenting - msnbc.com

steph

[cu1234]

Kerussl,

Actually, HPV in men has been linked to anal, penile and head and neck cancer.

STD Facts - HPV and Men

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Because HPV really isn't harmful for boys. They don't get cancer from it like girls do. It would be great if they could be vaccinated too, but I don't know if this is approved for males.

It has been approved for use in males.

Actually, it protects against HPV which is highly unpleasant for both genders and and has been also associated with some cancers in males as well as women.

And in most places like Europe and Australia, it was tested and approved for males and females. But for some reason in the US, they delayed the testing of it for males.

The point is that this is a vaccine for a virus. And that virus is spread from women to men and from men to women, in the majority of cases. Thus, both genders need to be protected. But much like pregnancy issues, we spend loads of time, money and energy educating/protecting women and little to educate/protect men. And while we could seriously cut transmission of the virus by vaccinating men, few people address that.

[Jolie, BSN]

I really see no cons to being vaccinated for anything. Every girl should get this.

There are risks and benefits to every medical treatment, vaccines included.

In response to the OP's question, I would suggest going to your school or public library and doing a Medline search on theis topic. You may be surprised at what you find, including the following:

Early studies on which Gardasil was initially approved established safety of the vaccine for 9-15 year old girls, but not effectiveness. Those same studies also provided little information of the duration of effectiveness of the vaccine for older girls and women. Based upon that insufficient information, it is entirely possible that the vaccine will "wear off" at some point, leaving women vulnerable to a virus they believed they are protected against.

There have been no studies which have established Gardasil to be more effective than regular exams and pap smears in preventing invasive cervical cancer. Since the vaccine does not protect against all virulent strains of HPV, regular exams and pap smears re still necessary for all women, vaccinated or not.

Recently published studies have suggested that strains of HPV not covered by the vaccine may be becoming more virulent (sort of like bad bacteria overgrowing good bacteria when an individual takes antibiotics.) This may result in HPV disease being caused by strains of the virus previously believed to be harmless, and not included in the vaccine.

I don't provide this information to try and talk anyone out of vaccinating. But to make such a monumental health decision without researching the risks and benefits carefully is to do yourself an injustice.

[kerussll]

I didn't know HPV had been linked to cancer in men. I'm glad they can be vaccinated too now. Of course this vaccine won't protect everyone in every case, just like all vaccines won't. That doesn't discount the proven benefits of this. I'm sorry, but I don't consider this a "monumental health decision." That's a bit silly.

[mnbrn]

Thanks, I will check out all sites suggested. I know it has been approved for both boys and girls. It is fairly new, and I just want to research it before my kids have it.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Why is it that we push this on "girls" and not "boys and girls" They both get the same virus.

It was just approved by the FDA for boys as well.

My 12yo son got the first of the series last month.

Other than some soreness at the site (which could have been the TDap or the MMR, as well) he hasn't had any problems.