HPV Vaccine and 11 Year Old Girls – A Mom’s Dilemma

by Kate on October 19, 2011

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Amid the recent dust up of the controversy of HPV (human papillomavirus) and mandating young girls to receive the vaccine, I’ve been wondering what my reaction will be when I’m faced with this looming decision. My older girl is now a few months from turning 4. Eleven isn’t that far away.

Let me back up and say I’m an advocate of vaccinating our children in general. I think that science has proven to be an effective combatant against many illnesses that have, in the past, been invincible. Until vaccines came along and walloped them. Like polio and pneumonia.

And yet there are risks. Definite risks. In my mind, the risks of not vaccinating my children thus far have out weighed the potential risks that vaccines themselves may carry. I’ve read about, and written about, many of the pros and cons of vaccinating. Remember the hubbub for the last few years over the whole H1N1 vaccine? I waded through many an argument for and against and ultimately got myself and my girls vaccinated.

But to me, vaccinating against HPV is different. Somehow, in my own mind and in the minds of many other parents, putting ‘vaccine for cervical cancer’, ‘sexually active’ and ’11 year old girls’ in the same sentence makes me squeamish. Yes, it is a miracle of science to have a vaccine – any vaccine – against cancer. Haven’t we all been hoping for this? And while vaccinating against a sexually transmitted disease before a young person becomes sexually active seems right on paper…is it in reality? It’s a hard pill to swallow.

First off, let me just say that MY kid won’t have sex until she’s good and married to Mr. Right, and even then I don’t want to know about her having sex.

As a mom, I want to protect her from any and all harm. Of course I do. That’s why we moms have such grey hair – it’s all that worry about protecting our children.

Also, I’m not a Puritan. Yes I get weirded out about my girls being sexually active in their lifetime, but seriously, I’m only joking. Sexual pleasure is lovely. It’s indescribable. I’m hoping that, when my time comes to have the birds and the bees talk, I’ll impart wisdom. I’ll inspire my girls to ALWAYS keep their bodies safe. Use their heads. Make good decisions.

But I’m not so naive to think that I can talk my girls away from sexually transmitted diseases. Bad things happen to good people all the time. Is it my responsibility as a mom to not only talk the talk but walk the walk? If I tell them to keep their bodies safe and this vaccine keeps their bodies safe, then why would I choose not to?

And therein lies my personal dilemma. I don’t know, on balance, what risks weigh heavier on the scale: STD + cervical cancer or complications from the vaccine? Deciding for my daughters versus my daughters deciding for themselves?

I certainly know that I’m no fan of having a mandate from the government, where this debate is currently swirling. But that aside, I think as a mom of a soon (too soon!) to be teenager, I need to get comfortable understanding this decision, the pros and cons and ultimately the risks.

If you have girls do you plan on having them vaccinated against HPV?

photo credit: Dawn Huczek

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  • Shani

    The advantages of the vaccine far outweigh the risks.

    As parents, we make decisions for our children every single day. We made the decision to have them in the first place, and it’s our responsibility to continue to make them until they are old enough to make their own. In the case of the HPV vaccine, that might be too late.

  • http://www.rickdoesntlivehere.blogspot.com Lane C.

    I would say yes. I have a two year old daughter and I believe that while she will make healthy decision about her body in regards to sexually activity. It is not a given that her said partner will not have been as careful. It is said that 1:4 people in the adult population carry the HPV virus so the chances are high that a partner might pass it on, even if they are married. I think what makes me mad is why is the vaccine developed just for girls…but alas that is a different question all in it self.

  • Julie C.

    What are the risks? I’ve been following this recent wave of media support, but not too closely. If it’s a new vaccine that’s proven to help, what are the cons? A parent always to make the choice for their child, and it can be difficult. Ultimately I hope all make the choice that is in the best interest of the child. Hopefully the government or FDA or whomever is sponsoring this vaccine has an altruistic intention and it’s not just Big Pharma Marketing.

  • http://www.adventuresinbabywearing.com Adventures In Babywearing

    No way. I’ve personally seen someone damaged by the vaccine and will refuse it for my daughter.

    Steph

  • http://www.alas3lads.blogspot.com Kari

    My daughter is now 15 and she had the HPV vaccine series a few years ago. She did not experience any side effects or adverse reactions to the shots at all.

    I agree that the advantages of the vaccine far outweigh the risks. While I would never want to see it mandated, I’m glad that the option is available and I’m happy with my decision to vaccinate my daughter.

  • Michael Gardner

    I am a 29 year old male and a virgin. (And I hope that any children I have eventually will be equally sensible). When and if I have children of my own I hope that I can get this for ALL my children not just my daughters.

    I also hope that when that time comes even more forms of HPV are protected against, not just the std and cancer causing variations.

  • http://www.annaculpwriting.blogspot.com Anna Kitchens-Culp

    I have to laugh at your sarcastic “My daughter won’t have sex until she’s good and married” because I really do think that most likely, my daughter won’t. Virginity until marriage is very common in my religion. My husband and I both “waited”. That being said, I will still educate my daughter about safe sex and sexual health. And if she does not become sexually active until she is married, there’s not a guarantee that her husband will be STD/STI-free, necessarily. I think I will present the information to her, and let her make the decision about whether to be vaccinated or not when she is mature enough and already making choices about her body and has an understanding of sex (13? 16?).

  • Kate

    @Michael You GO! Glad to hear about your choices and, oddly enough, I just saw on the new yesterday, I think, that there is some buzz about a male version. Interesting, no?

  • Kate

    @Anna, thanks for posting. When you think about it as an adult person, putting an age – like 13 or 16 – as an appropriate age to make sexual choices boggles the mind. I mean, I cannot think of my girls being ready for this. But some time, in their lifetime, they will have sex so they will have to know information in order to make good decisions. Unless of course the become nuns and even then celibacy isn’t a given is it? I can’t believe I was sarcastic about staying a virgin until marriage because I really do think that making that commitment to abstain is fantastic. To be celebrated. Unfortunately only a minority of people make that decision so I’m really happy to hear about your experience. Thanks!

  • Alyssa

    In regards to Lane C., I would have to agree with you!
    And in response to others, you can teach your children about abstinence and pray and hope for the best, but ultimately they will make a decision for themselves regarding their sexuality. Also, an unfortunate misconception is that getting your child vaccinated for HPV is sending the wrong idea or will encourage them to have sex. I would have to disagree. This vaccine is protecting your child for whenever they do become sexually active, whether that is at age 14, 17, 28 or 36! But remember that it’s highly unlikely that you will guarantee or control the age of your child’s sexual activity and protecting them for any circumstance is desirable. And in regards to consulting your children, you don’t wait until your child is older to ask them how they feel about getting a polio or measles, mumps and rubella vaccine– you just protect them. And in regards to Jane C.’s concern about HPV vaccine for boys– I have been working with my local county health department and they have been recommending this vaccine for boys as well!! Which is good news, as it can prevent against genital warts in males, as well as certain cancers, and prevent transmission between males and their partners. Thanks for the discussion!

  • Elly Hood

    I will NOT be giving my daughter this vaccine. There are over 150 different types of HPV and only 15 are known to cause cervical cancer. So, your chances of getting the type of HPV are pretty low. (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/HPV) According to the CDC, there are quite a few side effects from this vaccine (including total muscle degeneration). It’s rare, but it HAS happened because of this vaccine. Definitely not worth the risk! http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/side-effects.htm http://www.naturalnews.com/026463_vaccine_ALS_girls.html

  • cgm

    As a 29 year old female who had HPV, I wish the vaccine had been around earlier in my life (also wish I had made some better decisions, but that’s a different topic). Ironically, it became available about a month after I was diagnosed. I know the vaccine only protects against certain strains of HPV, but it protects against the most common ones, and even though I had been diagnosed, I still got it to protect me in the future. As a side note – my reaction to the vaccine: Sore arm for 1 day, cold-like symptoms for 3 days.

    When I have children, whether male or female, they will get the vaccine. If I can do something to lower their risk of getting HPV or being a carrier, then I will do that. Protecting them from the common strains, and reducing the spread of HPV (and having it go away like polio) is important. Little by little if we can knock out a virus here and there we’ll make a difference. Makes me think of one of my favorite quotes:

    “Do not take lightly small good deeds believing they can hardly help, for drops of water one by one, in time will fill a giant pot” ~Patrul Rinpoche (?)

    Every vaccine carries with it some type of risk, as does everything in life that we do. It’s especially difficult when it is something new – like the HPV vaccine – is being considered. Do we know every possible side effect? How effective is it? Does it last for a lifetime or do we need boosters in X-number of years? If you have ethical objections to how the drug was created – was it tested on animals (Yes…)? And so on, and so on.

    Consider though, all the things that we do that are considered normal everyday things that carry an even greater risk than vaccines: Driving/Riding in a car (death/disability from an accident), Eating food (death/disability from Salmonella, Botulism, and other diseases, Allergies from unknown or undeclared allergens, etc.), Natural disasters, Home accidents (Yard work, work with power tools, etc). There are so many things that we do where we don’t consider and just easily accept (or don’t recognize) the risks associated with them.

    Perspective is everything.

    Sorry for the ramble, but this is something that hits very close to home with me. Good luck with your decision! Just remember to weigh the good and the bad, make your decision, and confidently stick with it. The nice thing about vaccines is that you can wait, especially since your girl is just turning 4. Who knows, in 6-7 years there may be a new vaccine with new risks to consider. If there isn’t, there will definitely be more information available about the current vaccine by then!

  • Kate

    @cgm Thanks so much for your reply. You’re right, perspective is everything. I really appreciate your opinion on this.

  • Nadah Valadanzouj

    I am only 20 years old, and I never got the vaccine. I now have HPV, but I have no idea when I contracted it. I was sexually abused as a child, and could have gotten it then. Regardless, I have one of the strains of HPV that causes cervical cancer, and they’ve already seen precancerous cervical changes. I found out that I have HPV when I was pregnant with my son Emrys. Obviously research shows that HPV is genetic to some extent since women can only get it from men, and since women are not born with it, it stands to reason that BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS SHOULD GET THE VACCINES, WHETHER GARDASIL OR THE OTHER ONE! As far as Elly Hood is concerned, you obviously don’t have HPV, so you have no idea how dangerous it can be. There are more than 15 types of HPV that can cause cancer, and more about half of the women with HPV have the cancer-causing type. If you would rather risk your daughter’s life with cancer, then that’s on YOU. If she decides to get it, the let her because she’s smart enough to make her own decisions. But don’t you DARE mislead her about how helpful such a vaccine can be!

  • http://invitation2islaam.wordpress.com/ Anonymous

    Though this is about HPV, I would like to add a few words about abstinence. I do feel it is a great thing but because of our society we feel helpless. Teaching our children, as well as ourselves, about true self respect and confidence can definitely help them overcome what we may feel is impossible. It all comes down to the fact that we are held accountable for what we do in our lives. And there is always a benefit for whatever we do that is done sincerely & accordingly for our Creator.
    We all want good for our kids, but there is much more good than we allow our selves to accomplish. Take Care

  • amom2girls

    I think a few things are often looked over in the HPV, Gardasil debate. As a women’s health care provider, I see the effects and costs of HPV daily in women’s lives.
    While it is hard to separate sexual activity from the whole debate, it really becomes irrelevant when you consider the following:
    -Many, many girls (and boys) are sexually abused, and can contract HPV from this type of sexual contact.
    -Many females are the victims of sexual assault. Current statistics are that 1 out of every four girls or women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime!
    -Many “good” girls and boys who intend to save themselves for marriage, have other types of intimate contact (not just intercourse) and contract HPV. Not to mention the one-time slip-ups, etc.
    -HPV is very common, and it’s presence does cause complications/stress/costs and painful procedures….and that’s all prior to a diagnosis of cervical cancer. While cervical cancer may be fairly uncommon, the pre-cancerous states and all the interventions/costs that come with it are pretty common.
    -If HPV were eradicated from the earth (much like polio), there would be almost no need for pap smears. Which mother would not want to help their daughter avoid that annoying test?

  • Sheralyn

    I personally feel that we need to teach our children about abstinence. I think it’s important to teach them to wait until marriage. But regardless, I will make sure to discuss all the important matters with my daughter when she gets to that age. But I will NOT ever have her get the vaccine. I would encourage all moms to read about the deaths the HPV vaccine has caused and the risks. Read about true stories of young girls that received the vaccine at: http://www.nvic.org/vaccines-and-diseases/HPV/cassie.aspx

  • Amanda

    I am 100% for the hpv vaccines and was disappointed that it wasnt approved until I was already too old for it. My mother died of cervical cancer and I have hpv (more than one strain for that matter)
    I’ve already vaccinated my oldest daughter and plan on vaccinating my youngest too! My daughter had a sore arm and that was all! If I can talk my sons pediatrician into it I’ll have him vaccinated too!

  • kate

    @Amanda. Thanks for sharing. My condolences for your mom…I can see why you are such an avid supporter!

  • Mary

    First, let me tell you I have 5 daughters. When my oldest was 14, her pediatrician gave her the first dose of the HPV vaccine and told me to come back in 3 mos to get the second. I did some more research and decided against it. At her next dr appointment, even though I specifically said no to the vaccine, the dr gave her the second dose (she had other shots to get, so dr slipped it in). This time, my daughter had side effects! She had 3 periods every month for 4 months! My daughter’s cycles had been normal UNTIL AFTER the second dose of the HPV vaccine. Needless to say, I changed pediatricians, reported the old one, and will NOT allow ANY of my other children to get this vaccine. It’s not worth my children’s health to vaccinate them against a disease they have a small chance of getting with the proper upbringing and education!

  • Nazonee

    Mr Lane please check it out more.  The HPV vac is now being reccommended for boys also over the age of 8.  As a mother of 6 and grandmother of 9 I feel this is a vaccine who’s time has come.  I also view it as no different than any other vaccine that has saved our population from dire things.  I also do not believe we have ever explained to ur kids, other than it is used so yu don’t get sick, and I don’t feel we should explain in more detail what this vac is for.  It is so they do not get sick.  Period. 

  • Anne

    I had HPV when I was in college, years ago.  I was still a virgin at the time (tho of the school of anything goes, but intercourse).  I got the virus on the outside and it had to be removed with acetic acid, not the most pleasant thing.  I eventually got diagnosed (several years later) with carcinoma in situ of the cervix due to HPV and had to have that removed by laser.  Luckily I have been cancer free since.  My oldest daughter just turned 11.  Did I vaccinate her?  YOU BET!

  • Julie Van Osdel

    Done & done for both my daughter & my son. I can’t imagine not doing everything possible to protect my children & this is one way that I was able to do it. I have had friends who have gone through cervical cancer & those who have gone through various STDs & trust me, the opportunity to help prevent my children from going through any of that & the benefits it provides far outweigh any risk from the vaccine in my mind. But I do agree that the government has no business interjecting itself into a parent’s right to make a decision as personal as this.

  • http://twitter.com/StripperShadow shadow

    i do not vaccinate my children in general and I’ve heard horror stories about this vaccine in addition to all the others out there…i have 4 daughters. I won’t be getting it for them. 

  • Dee

    I feel bad for all the kids whose parents won’t choose to vaccinate because this particular virus is related to “sexual activity”. This vaccination has nothing to do with having sex or choosing to abstain. To dismiss it  is very short sighted  because , lets face it,  all parents expect their kids to grow up and get married and have sexual activity some day. Just because you vaccinate your chid as a teenager, doesnt mean they will have sex as a teenager- it just means they are protected from one more deadly virus and as a parent you have done one more thing to keep them safe. I am a forty year old married mom of three. ( 14,12, 9)  I have had one partner in my life, my husband, but two years ago I found out I had cervical cancer-probably from HPV I had been carrying around for many years, passed to me from my spouse who had three partners before meeting me.  I had to have a full hysterectomy- and had I not had regular paps and found it early enough, I could have died and left my children without a mom. I would give anything to have had the vaccine when I was a teen, so that many years later, I could have avoided this horrible diagnosis and heart wrenching surgery. Thinking in terms of right now is such a terrible way to make your decision. Vaccinate them now so that, in the far distant future, it is one less thing they  may have to face. I know my mom wishes she could have had the option to vacinate me back then, so that I could have avoided this painful occurrence in my life now. If you decide against it and your daughter , at age 40-only having sex with one man, comes to you with the news that she has cancer from HPV, I can bet you will regret your decision for the rest of your life.

  • Heidi RN

    Dear Mary,
    Of course the doctor should not have given it if you said no, but the changes in your daughters cycle were probably coincidental.  Young women very frequently have irregular cycles for no apparent reason.  Did her cycles become normal again?  The vaccine revs up your immune system and that is very unlikely to affect your mensrual cycle.  Having a daughter with cervical cancer later in life would be something that would break your heart, especially if it could have been prevented. 
    Don’t believe everything you read on the internet about medical issues. Anyone can write anything they want and say it is true, even making it sound as though scientific studies support it especially about an issue as charged as this one.  Look for reliable websites from well known medical institutions such as the Mayo Clinic or Johns Hopkins University for your medical information.

  • Georgiapeach538

    You say you aren’t naive, but this sentence gives you away” “First off, let me just say that MY kid won’t have sex until she’s good and married to Mr. Right”

  • Ampooul

    All vaccines have side effects and your parents knew that when you were a child and they OK’d your vaccinations. It’s your call as a parent I guess. Do get all the facts though. Gardasil does protect against a really high percentage of the most common strains of HPV.
    I am 27. I got the vaccine when I was 21, but I wasn’t sexually active at the time and I definitely didn’t feel like I could be indiscriminate or reckless when it came to partners because there are still a host of other STIs to contract and I was raised a certain way. If you pull the side effects card though, you better pull it across the board. It just seems like such a medical breakthrough- the small chance of an extremely adverse reaction seems worth it for the future benefit.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1766598848 Pam Mccutcheon

    At 28, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. This was in 1975. I also discovered I was pregnant. An abortion was recommended, as was a hysterectomy. We chose to  put this in the hands of God, and in January of 1976, we had our second healthy son. Later that year, I had the hysterectomy. In 2005, I was diagnosed with anal cancer. It was also when I was educated about HPV and the fact that 97% of all cervical cancers are caused by this virus, which had apparently lain dormant in my body for all those years, undetected and unsuspected until I once again found myself being treated for cancer. So, would I recommend the HPV vaccine?? Yes, I would, and I do. I never knew I had HPV. I do not know where I got it, or who I may have given it to (hey, it was the 60′s!). I passed my annual PET scan just this month, and can relax—for a while. But I can never forget that this deadly little virus is lying quietly, for now, but perhaps planning another ambush for me. And it will always be there…waiting, lurking ….haunting my old age. Get the vaccine!

  • Jjkid45

    My granddaughter had her 2nd vac. for HPV and has had MANY side effects! Do NOT give to your children until you check out all the statistics on line. There have been many girls die from this vaccine, some have had very severe side effects that have left them disabled for up to 2 years. My daughter took our granddaughter immediately to a homeopathic physician to help with her symptoms. She is better but still suffers from some of the side effects. Some countries have banned this vaccine so don’t leave this to chance. My granddaughters doctors office knew nothing about any of this so don’t take somebody’s word that it is fine. They are just keeping it under wraps!!!

  • KarenInChicago

    I did have my daughter vaccinated against HPV, when she was 16.  I know that she was not sexually active yet, but I felt that it was time.  Parents must be realistic and get thier daughters vaccinated against HPV to prevent a certain form of cervical cancer before they are sexually active.  To not do so – when we have the technology –  is just plain foolish.

  • SA

    Does anyone realize there are side affects to the vaccine. The CDC in 2010 started investigating the connections between seizures activity and the vaccine. They wanted to give it my daughter but she has a history of seizure as an infant. They said she would be fine. I don’t think it is worth the risk in some cases. I think we are too prone to  taking a vaccine or a pill for everything which has dangersous side affects. Don’t get me wrong I do vaccinate my kids but I think some things need to be reseached alittle deeper before we just jump right in.

  • kathy

    For goodness sake, get your kid vaccinated. This is not a big deal.

  • guest

     As a health care provider for women, and having given over 700 of the Gardasil vaccines to many women from the ages of 11-26 and older–any woman over the age of 26 can pay out of pocket and receive the vaccine, I can count on one hand the girls and women who have had a reaction to the vaccine.  Mainly the young women become dizzy as they were nervous and had not eaten.  None of the adverse events have been serious or fatal.  The same adverse events as the hepatitis vaccine which the Gardasil is based on.  It does not have the same effects as the MMR, TDAP, and other childhood vaccines.  As HPV is a skin to skin contact boxer short area front to back, no penile penetration is needed to spread the virus.  Any girl or boy can be sexually assaulted and become infected that way. As of today, there have been no deaths that are directly associated with the vaccine.  the deaths that have occurred after vaccination have been either suicides or the person was involved in a car accident.

    Taking care of young women and telling them they have precancer cells is hard.  Seeing how it affects them financially, emotionally and physically is a challenge.  And a drain on our health care system.

    We can protect our kids from cancer–we need to be proactive and read the right information

    http://www.hpv.com

  • guest

     Gardasil was approved for boys and young men ages 9-26 as of October 2009 and being covered by insurance from January 2010.  Anyone active duty military received the vaccine.  This was not developed just for girls–just took longer to get approved by the CDC and FDA for the boys as it was harder to prove efficacy in men. 

  • Carl

    It could just be a coincidence but I had my daughter at 13 vaccinated and a week later she had a strange problem lasting several days wherein both hands swelled up and closed as if she was clenching something. She could open them slowly with pain but she felt more comfortable with them closed. I took her to the Doctor to be seen and she was evaluated, tested negative for Rhuematoid Arthritis and then referred to a Nuerologist. He evaluated her and decided that it was probably not nuerological and instructed her to try opening them while taking a warm bath. That evening she followed his instructions and her hands opened and the symptons went away. We were very worried there for a while and the Lord knows I prayed for her to be well and also that I had not made a mistake having her get the vaccination. To be fair my daughter does play the piano and right before this episode she was showing me that she could play a complicated piece that required her hands to cover more keys then normal. I hope that was the root of the problem but no one really knows.

  • Sketchem

    I got my daughter vaccinated for HPV. I have HPV and had pre cancerious cells in my cervics. I had to have a biopsy as well as getting the cells burnt litertally off of my cervics. Not pleasent and very scary. I had to get checked every three months for fear of still having cancer cells. Over 80% of the population have HPV and don’t know it because they have no symptoms. But for those of us that do have symptoms a vaccine would have been much easier then everything I went through.  

  • CJfromNY

    At 13 years old, we learned my daughter had Cancer. Liposarcoma, nothing related to cervical cancer.  Two surgeries, 4 rounds of chemo, numerous transfusions later she is a 14 year old in remission.  The effects of the chemotherapy are yet to be seen, she has repeated testing to be sure her heart and other organs are functioning.  Only time will tell if she is sterile but it’s a possibility.  For those of you that never saw your child go through Cancer treatment, you had better think this through.  Prior to cancer diagnosis my daughter had received her Guardasil and trust me, cancer prevension is much easier to watch.

  • margo1295

    When my daughter was 14, she and I had a long discussion and together we chose for her to be vaccinated. She is now 17, involved with the same guy (18) for the past three years, and they have not been sexually active. My son is 15, and has had two of his three shots. He is not sexually active either and has been involved with the same girl all school year. Again, he and I had a long discussion and came to the same conclusion about the HPV vaccination.

    I think another discussion that needs to take place is what form of birth control is best to use that doesn’t influence your body longer than you want? BC Pills, the shots, patches and the likes are all hormonal and can change effect hormone levels much longer than you actually desire. Both of my children know that birth control is not just the females responsibility.

    As a single mom, I believe that “As I teach, I must do” and for this reason, when I am involved with a new relationship, the man and I go together for STD/HIV testing. My children are well aware of this. 

    When we begin to treat loving ourselves, our partners and our children as a responsible/healthy act that is physical as well as joyful, the testing and vaccinations just follow along as natural parts of that.

  • guest57

    very well said!!

  • Rhonda57

    thank you for sharing, stay strong

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ramona-Jackson/100002237144291 Ramona Jackson

    You’re a fool in denial if you think your daughters will wait until they’re married to have sex.  The reason for vaccinating them so young is to PROTECT THEM from CANCER that can KILL THEM.  It takes more than 6 months to give them the vaccine.  The average age a kid has sex in the US is age 14.  The reason to start them so young is TO PROTECT THEM FROM HPV.

    How about you think about it this way:  Vaccine + 11-year-old-girls = less cervical cancer.  Why is this even a question in your mind?  Are you insane?   

    You don’t give your political affiliation or your views.  I don’t have girls myself, but I had my son vaccinated against the HPV virus.  He was much older but still a *complete* virgin so he qualified for the vaccine.  That’s right, he doesn’t want to carry this disease to his partners.  He’s also afraid of cancer of the penis, another dread disease brought to us by HPV.  HPV causes head and neck cancers.

    You can ignore the risks because you prefer to think of your daughters as innocents.  Soon they’ll be menstruating and maturing.  You’re responsible for them, of course.  Today Yvette Wilson died of cervical cancer at the very young age of 48 years.   Her friends and family doubtless wish she’d had the chance to be protected from her painful death.

    Because of the nature of transmission of HPV, the vaccine must be given to the young.  Three vaccinations are necessary and all are required for protection.  Our insurance doesn’t cover males.  I had to pay for it out of pocket.  It’s worth it, all $500.00+ that it cost for the series of shots .

    One in three adult women will have cancer.  It’s a given.  Will it be YOU?  Which of your daughters will it be? 

     

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ramona-Jackson/100002237144291 Ramona Jackson

     HPV is a virus that, once contracted, continues to infect.  You still have HPV, Anne.  I’m glad to know you have been cancer-free for a while, may it remain so for the rest of your life.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ramona-Jackson/100002237144291 Ramona Jackson

     I disagree.  Without forced vaccination, smallpox would still exist in the world as an infectious disease. 

    Health laws permit forced vaccination.  It’s long been a part of our legal process.  Vaccination at gunpoint may come again.  If it does, so be it.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ramona-Jackson/100002237144291 Ramona Jackson

     I’m so sorry you are ill.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ramona-Jackson/100002237144291 Ramona Jackson

     You are absolutely incorrect, Elly Hood. 

    There are 30 strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer, cancer of the penis in males, and the increase in head and neck cancers is due to the HPV virus.  Cancer of the penis in males is treated by penile amputation.  Radiation and chemotherapy are ineffective.

    Gardasil side effects are extremely rare *in healthy children with normal immune systems.*  You’re more likely to win the lottery than to have your child have any side effects.  Fever, arm pain, the usual problems with any vaccination are what transpire.  The side effects are less toxic than cancer, I assure you.  I have survived cancer.  Three times.     

    My son has been vaccinated.  He had a sore arm and too little fever for an aspirin. 

    One day your kids will have sex.  That cannot be controlled.  What you can do is protect them from death from cancer.  Why aren’t you willing to do that? 

    It’s sickening so many parents can’t see far enough down the road.   Short-sighted morons. 

    BTW, your ‘natural news’ link isn’t valid. 

     

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ramona-Jackson/100002237144291 Ramona Jackson

     Health departments in the US have the right under our laws to vaccinate at the point of a gun.  I hope one day that returns so that even your poor kids are protected against disease. 

    Otherwise polio will run rampant again in this country.  I’ve read about polio.  It was a horrible disease.  No one deserves that, not even your innocent children.  They shouldn’t be made to pay for your short-sightedness and stupidity.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ramona-Jackson/100002237144291 Ramona Jackson

     The vaccine’s available for boys when they’re the right age now.  Unfortunately many insurance plans don’t pay for it yet.  My son was 22 but still qualified for the vaccine, a virgin with absolutely no sort of sexual experience. 

    I paid more than $500.00 for the vaccine out of pocket and consider it well worth the cost to have him protected from head and neck cancers and cancer of the penis.  It takes what it takes.  He won’t be a virgin forever and we were lucky it was available for him.

    My first husband gave me HPV.  It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ramona-Jackson/100002237144291 Ramona Jackson

    You aren’t wrong. As I observed, she’s in deep denial about everything.  Kids these days start kissing at 12 and 13 and having sex at 14.  What a fool she is with closed eyes and no clue.  In addition she’s a complete control freak. 

    Lack of control is more like how it works with those people.  The tighter they squeeze, the faster those kids slip through your fingers.  That’s where the rebels come from.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ramona-Jackson/100002237144291 Ramona Jackson

     Gardasil had nothing to do with it.  Mary, you’re being a fool.  Failure to protect your girls against cancer is criminal neglect.  Shame on you.  This has NOTHING to do with their upbringing.

    You should be ashamed of your own dirty mind.  I’ve had three different cancer diagnoses.  THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CANCER!  I’ve survived them all.  One or two of your daughters will have cancer as an adult, those are the statistics. 

    Surely you love them?  Cancer is horrible.  It’s mean.  It’s painful.  It takes away your dignity.  Once the surgeon has ripped out your reproductive organs, it’s hard to get to the bathroom on time.  You become incontinent.  Sometimes you have to wear diapers.  DIAPERS!  At age 40!   The pain is so bad a morphine drip isn’t enough.  Your guts have been split open and ripped out.  If you haven’t had children you never will.  Sometimes you die.

    Why on earth wouldn’t you want to protect your daughters from these painful indignities?  It would be different if it was something you couldn’t prevent, but this is easy to take care of now with three vaccinations.

    The type of cancer I had from HPV is rare.  I don’t know if I’ll die from it or not.  No one knows how long I’ll live because no one knows anything about it.  This isn’t easy for me.  Why on earth wouldn’t you protect your children from this, since you can?

     

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