Question of the Week: Will You Get Your Son or Daughter the HPV Vaccine?

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Mon, October 19, 2009

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the vaccine Gardasil for the prevention of the human papillomavirus (HPV) in men. HPV, the most common sexually transmitted disease, causes genital warts that can lead to head, neck, anal, and penile cancers in men. The drug has been approved for use in males ages 9 to 26. The FDA previously approved Gardasil for women and girls of the same age for the prevention of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer caused by HPV.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Will you get your son or daughter the HPV vaccine? Why or why not?

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Merely Me

10/19/09 1:49pm

This is certainly ground breaking news...I had written about Gardisil in September about how it could prevent genital warts in males but it wasn't yet on the market. So this is great news that the FDA has approved it.

I do have two teen-age boys and I am definitely going to look more into this...I will be asking my sons' doctor about Gardasil. I think there will be a lot of parents who will want to know more information. Anyone who wants more information on Gardasil can visit their official web site here.

Thank you again, Kate, for this timely information.

Paul

10/19/09 2:13pm

I had read Merely Me's post about the possibility of a vaccine for young males being considered for approval by the FDA and I see from your question it has receive approval.

Because of reading material to try and help people on this site, I have urged my three daughters to have their five daughters :) vaccinated and gain what protection it provides. Should there be any boys, ever, in the family, I would urge that they received the vaccine too.

People were concerned with the Salk and Sabin vaccine for Polio and there was a great deal of worry then that it would actually give children Polio. Just as a number of people think the Flu vaccine gives them the Flu virus. It's a matter of education, something this site can provide, to overcome suspicions and worries with what information is available to us now.

Thank you for letting us know, Kate.

Judy

10/19/09 3:01pm

This is great news, I think. If my sons were teen-agers, I would definitely have them get the vaccine. Whatever we can do to prevent HPV has got to be a good thing. It's great that now both males and females can be vaccinated, it's bound to make a big difference.

Pam

10/19/09 4:03pm

Hi Kate thanks for the news and a great question. If I had children between 9-26 I would get them vaccinated. A vaccine that prevents some cervical and other cancers seems like a no-brainer.

The only problem I see with this is the price for those who are uninsured. Since the estimated cost is $360.00 over three shots there may be quite a few who wouldn't be able to afford this, and imagine if you have more than one child in this age range.

I looked at Mercks patient assistance program, which some may be able to qualify for, but it also says you have to be 19 or older. Does this mean younger girls and their families can't get financial assistance from Merck for this? I hope there is some loop-hole I missed for assistance since many may not be able to get financial help on this.

I hope Merck can make this vaccine more assesable for the uninsured, so everyone who wants it can have the option.

Vicki

10/20/09 5:45am

As the mother of two teenaged boys I did not have them vaccinated, but it wasn't really a choice. I probably would have done it. My boys are now men with children of their own — one boy and four girls between them.

I have asked them to consider this for the girls, and now I will bring it up again.

I did not find any clear definite side effects, so it is probably safe. Is there a reason people choose not to take advantage of this vaccine that protacts against STDs or cancer?

Yes, I would have done it and I will bring it up to my boys for their kids.

imascatterbrain

4/26/10 2:59am

Yay for going to (part of?) the source!

But, frankly, I'm not worried about any twenty-year olds, I'm too old & cranky!

- imascatterbrain

Question of the Week: Will You Get Your Son or Daughter the HPV Vaccine?

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