Given the long threads about sexual misconduct, students and parents should also be aware of the possibility of involuntary non-consensual exposure to HPV and other STDs.
I’m surprised by the number of kids who do not get this in middle school. I thought that was a given these days. Why anyone wouldn’t have their kids get it, boggles my mind. It prevents some forms of cancer, people!
One need not have sex to contract HPV. Studies estimate that up to 51% of female virgins may harbor HPV in their genital tracts.
HPV can be contracted by a variety of non-penetrative ways, including by hand to genital contact as well as genital contact with infected hard surfaces. (Think locker room benches or shared bicycle seats at gyms, exam tables at doctor’s offices.)
The low participation states in the map seems to correlate with the state governments most resistant to the ACA, thus lowest levels of childhood insurance coverage.
Those under 50%: Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Indiana, Lousiana, Kentucky and South Carolina.
Those over 70%: Maine, NY, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Delaware, DC and California.
My kids’ pediatrician recommended the vaccine because it can protect against cancer caused by the HPV virus - if we could get a vaccine to protect us against breast cancer or brain cancer, would we not at least consider it? That said, D completed her shots as a teen, but S had a reaction after his 2nd shot & chose not to complete.
@kelsmom my D also had a bad reaction after her second shot and didn’t get the third. It was quite scary. Glad we’re not alone. They did say 2 shots gave her 95% protection.
In vaccine trials where there is a control group getting injected with a saline placebo, the number of people reporting adverse effects from the injection runs about 2%. A vaccine with significant risks might have adverse effects reported by 2.5% of those injected, meaning 80% would have gotten sick anyway.
The WHO compiles the data into an easy format: http://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/initiative/tools/vaccinfosheets/en/
I completely understand that people do have severe reactions and that’s the reason herd immunity is so important.
That said, after watching women die of cervical cancer, there are few reactions I wouldn’t endure to prevent cervical cancer. Especially since most “reactions” are not at all vaccine related.
Seems unanimous. OP’s daughter should get the HPV vaccine. 
Conspiracies theorists. I don’t get why people don’t “trust” the medical profession, but they trust the mechanics who build their cars and repair the engines of airplanes they fly on. What about the people who manufacture food and beverages? Not saying those people should not be trusted, but how do the conspiracy theorists pick and choose whom to trust?
People have conspiracy theories about cars, airplanes, and food as well as medical care.
We have a ‘deep state’. Why not ‘deep medicine’?
^^^lol
I’d recommend the vaccination against HPV. I lost a dear friend to cervical cancer when she was fairly old. She was chaste prior to her marriage, which was a later-life event. It is possible that she contracted the virus from an event other than intercourse, but the odds are that her husband transmitted the virus to her. In any event, the loss was a tragedy, and it might possibly have been prevented.
OP, you might as well also get your younger children started now on the series of HPV vaccinations—daughter AND son.
And a little off topic, but seriously consider the meningitis vaccines for the D starting college in the fall. The basic shot is likely required, but the second (I think it’s meningitis B) is also a good idea.
Another vote for absolutely getting daughters – yes, and sons – HPV vaccinated. Ours went through the series well before they left for college.
People should question the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry. Folks should do their research and their due diligence before taking any vaccine, drugs, or treatment.
Yes. Here is the seminal source of information on vaccines.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/index.html
I am guessing that your pediatrician has been offering this vaccination to your daughter for a few years now, what has made you refuse it? I personally am not getting this vaccination for any of my four children. If you are not sure about this vaccination, do some more research so you can feel confident about your choice.
@ams5796 correct. Do you REPUTABLE research and see that it’s extremely safe and prevents cancer.
I cannot fathom how any parent would not give their child a vaccine against cancer.
It’s a vaccine AGAINST CANCER.