Re: HPV Vaccine
From: Jamie (ajfields@pine-net.com)
Fri Jun 9 11:35:02 2006
I get the public health aspect, and my kids are immunized against Hep B
b/c there are other ways to be exposed-at least 2 of them want to be
HCPs at some time. Part of my reluctance is that with any new vaccine
there's the risk that some serious side effects will turn up in the
first few years of use (rotavirus, anyone?). I'm very old fashioned in
that I hope my kids will be sexually active, but only within marriage.
If they make that choice, they'll be at VERY low risk from HPV, and
that's balanced against potential risks of a new vaccine. After a
decade or so of safe use, my attitude will probably be different. My
kids will know about the vaccine.
At Fri, 9 Jun 2006, LCLEMOS@aol.com wrote:
>
>In a message dated 6/9/2006 10:12:13 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
>ajfields@pine-net.com writes:
>
>I'm undecided but leaning against, although my kids will be informed
>about it's existence. My oldest is nearly 11, and I'd like to think the
>same. I've been told, though, that 4th and 5th graders in our town are
>having oral sex because "it's not real sex and you can't get pregnant"
>Doesn't bode well for 15. Homeschooling is looking better and better,
>though I'd also like to think I've taught my kids better than some.
>
>I find our attitudes interesting. (not just yours really, this just started
>it!). Do we assume that our children will get Hepatitis B from infected
>needles or sex or IV drug use or what (clinical practice!)? Or do we know it is
>just good public health to get them vaccinated before these are issues? Why is
>the HPV vaccine different? Because it might indicate we think our children
>might eventually have sex? Gee, I hope mine do, the alternative is sad. (hen
>again, lately I suspect I may not have to worry as they are both in college and
>with 'long term' relationships. But I don't know that their partners
>are...so vaccine for my kids now sounds good to me, if it means fewer concerns about
>cervical cancer in themselves or their partners in a few years or decades. I
>do hope the FDA was thorough in their approval and the maker thorough in the
>development/testing. My only concern for delay in encouraging the vaccine is
>that something may prove not to be as safe as we hope, not that it might
>indicate my children will eventually be sexually active.....
>
>The vaccine requires three injections over time (like Hep B), and is
>preferable in the pre sexually active population as a public health action. Thus the
>recommendation for 11 year olds to start, just like we vaccinated my kids
>for Hep B in 5th grade (gee, they didn't thank me for those three shots!) but
>now we give to most newborns ...we are RELATIVELY sure 11 years aren't
>pregnant, thus we can do widespread vaccination without pregnancy testing etc...I'm
>sure this hasn't been tested/approved for use during pregnancy, so little
>is...
>
>Laurie
--
JFields, RN, BSN
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