HPV Vaccine

I was recently asked what I though about the new HPV vaccine which would help prevent cervical cancer. Since I don't have daughters I have to honestly admit I haven't given it much thought. But it seems that parents would want to do whatever they could to prevent their children from developing cervical cancer later in life.

Contentment Acres raises some interesting questions about the vaccine in her post Proposed Childhood Cervical Cancer Vaccine Mandate, an opposing viewpoint can be found at The Nation.

Here is some information on the vaccine from the National Cancer Institute (keep in mind it was posted in 2002), Washington Post, Merck, and the FDA.

Merck said this about the vaccine

• GARDASIL may not fully protect everyone and does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so it is important to continue regular cervical cancer screenings.
• Anyone who is allergic to the ingredients of GARDASIL should not receive the vaccine.
• GARDASIL is not for women who are pregnant.
• GARDASIL will not treat these diseases and will not protect against diseases caused by other types of HPV.
• GARDASIL is given as 3 injections over 6 months and can cause pain, swelling, itching, and redness at the injection site, fever, nausea, and dizziness.
• Only a doctor or healthcare professional can decide if GARDASIL is right for you or your daughter. Ask about GARDASIL today.

Which seems to indicate mandating it may not be such a hot idea. I also question the need to mandate it in school children as HPV is only transmitted by sexual contact, not by sitting next to someone who has it in class, so leaving it as a parental choice may be the wiser course.

According to New Scientist, 80 percent of parents want the vaccine for their daughters

Which seems to indicate most daughters would receive the vaccine without a government mandate.

The best advice I can give you is to speak with you doctor about it. Weigh the potential side affects and risk against the benefits of preventing cervical cancer.