Gardasil?

[*KeepMovingForward*]

We got a notice from DD's school how they are requiring that she get the Gardasil vaccine. I normally don't flinch about immunizations, but because this is so new, I am very leery. From my web searches, I am reading some majorly disturbing information regarding side effects. I know that if I had to decide to get this for myself, I would not. I'm not sure how I am going to broach this with the school, if DD will get it or not. I guess I am just looking to hear from other parents of teenage girls and what their thoughts and/or experiences are regarding this fairly new immunization.

 

[minkydog]

We opted to have my DD15 get the vaccine. We weighed the benefits and risks and decided it seemed like a good idea to protect her from HPV if we can. It is such a prevalent infection. The only side effect she had was soreness at the injection site. Advil & warm packs took care of that in about 4 days.

 

[licountrygirl]

I can't understand how a school could require that vaccine. It's not like you can get HPV from casual contact. I would take it up with them and then if you don't get any good answers, I would contact the state that you live in.

 

[mrsklamc]

I can't understand how a school could require that vaccine. It's not like you can get HPV from casual contact. I would take it up with them and then if you don't get any good answers, I would contact the state that you live in.

I agree. It was my understanding that schools required immunizations to prevent outbreaks of highly communicable diseases.

 

[2Kds2K9]

Personally, I'm holding off for a while. DD is 12 and in speaking to her pediatrician, we've both decided to wait a few years. I just feel that this has been put on the market too quickly and I dont' want my DD to be a lab rat on this one.

I don't see how a school district can require this for school. My understanding is that the HPV virus is a STD. Are they strongly suggesting that girls get this?

A few weeks ago there were two news reports right after another on our local news. The first one was about how tomatoes were being taken off the market because approximately 100 people had gotten sick from them. Right after that, they mentioned that over 1700 girls had had reactions to Gardasil, but it was not even being investigated. Just made me stand back and go hmmm. Guess the pharmaceutical industry has much more clout than the tomato industry.

Don't get me wrong. Both my kids have had all their vaccinations. We even get a flu shot every year. I'm just not completely sold on this one yet.

Good luck!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I can't understand how a school could require that vaccine. It's not like you can get HPV from casual contact. I would take it up with them and then if you don't get any good answers, I would contact the state that you live in.

I don't understand it either. Honestly I thought I read the letter wrong, but I didn't. School here hasn't started yet and so there is nobody at the school to call and have answer my question for another few weeks. I'm definitely going to wait until then.

Personally, I'm holding off for a while. DD is 12 and in speaking to her pediatrician, we've both decided to wait a few years. I just feel that this has been put on the market too quickly and I dont' want my DD to be a lab rat on this one.

I don't see how a school district can require this for school. My understanding is that the HPV virus is a STD. Are they strongly suggesting that girls get this?

A few weeks ago there were two news reports right after another on our local news. The first one was about how tomatoes were being taken off the market because approximately 100 people had gotten sick from them. Right after that, they mentioned that over 1700 girls had had reactions to Gardasil, but it was not even being investigated. Just made me stand back and go hmmm. Guess the pharmaceutical industry has much more clout than the tomato industry.

Don't get me wrong. Both my kids have had all their vaccinations. We even get a flu shot every year. I'm just not completely sold on this one yet.

Good luck!

My thinking is right where yours is at. I don't like the newness of this vaccine and from what I've read, it was only tested in less than 100 girls before being put out there for the masses. I don't want my girl as a guinea pig either...if its necessary, fine, but I can't help but be hesitant and I'm even more guarded about it with the school telling me its required-considering the nature of it, I would think that's a highly personal decision.

We opted to have my DD15 get the vaccine. We weighed the benefits and risks and decided it seemed like a good idea to protect her from HPV if we can. It is such a prevalent infection. The only side effect she had was soreness at the injection site. Advil & warm packs took care of that in about 4 days.

I'm glad to hear your DD didn't have any adverse effects. I'm scared after reading the stories about strokes and paralysis following the injections. I definitely want DD protected from something harmful...but scared of this vaccine just the same.

 

[gr8leg8]

When school opens / there is someone to ask...

Can you opt out?
Here in CA parents are allowed to opt out of immunization(one or more). They just sign a paper provided by the state.
My understanding is that the schools in CA cannot deny entry to students w/o immunizations.

Perhaps you pediatrician will have info (before school resumes)

good luck.

 

[I Believe n Fairies]

I also do not see how the school can MAKE you get this injection for your daughter. To me, it's the school system saying to parents, "Your kids are having sex, so let's make sure they are possibly covered from HPV." This is not something your daughter can catch sitting in class with someone or going through the lunch line, you get it by having sex. It makes me so mad when schools interfere with family life.

Stand up for your daughter and for your family. If you do not feel comfortable with this, if you do not feel there is a reason for your daughter to be at risk, DON'T DO IT! They cannot make her have this shot, they just can't.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[TheRatPack]

you get it by having sex. It makes me so mad when schools interfere with family life.

Stand up for your daughter and for your family. If you do not feel comfortable with this, if you do not feel there is a reason for your daughter to be at risk, DON'T DO IT! They cannot make her have this shot, they just can't.

Good luck with your decision.

Just wanted to clarify....you don't have to have 'sex' to get it. You can have skin to skin contact and still get it. But I still don't agree that schools should have any say in what vaccines your children get.....especially one as new as this.

 

[purvislets]

Check with your doctor about opting out. I've never done it, but I've heard of a form that you can get signed by the local government exempting your child from the vaccine. Parents who choose not to vaccinate at all (for personal or religious reasons) are able to get these forms so their children can go to public schools.

Personally, I will not be getting this vaccine and neither will my daughter. I've heard too many horror stories (from paralysis to even death) without the slightest mention of it being taken off the market and tested. I feel like this was brought out much too quickly and now our children are going to be the guinea pigs.

 

[tanyaandallie]

Pretty much every school district allows you to opt out of vaccines for religious or other reasons. Talk to your school district and opt out. My kids are young but if they were not, I would opt out. I have also read some disturbing info on the vaccine and would not choose for my children to have it right now.

Don't let the school pressure you into giving your child a vaccine you are not comfortable with.

 

[adoptionmomma4]

I am not getting this vaccine for my DD's either. I do not give my children all vaccines (and I am not looking for a debate). They have not had the chicken pox vaccine for instance. I feel like the chicken pox is a manageable disease in children. I also give my child with asthma and my toddler (who was a preemie) the flu shot. However I do not give it to my older perfectly healthy children. I guess I just try to give them what my pediatrician and I feel they need.

We are currently home schooling all 4 of our children. However I was able to send my children to public schools without all of the "required" vaccinations. I simply signed a paper that said it was against my personal beliefs to vaccinate my child. They did tell me that my children where not "allowed" to be in school if there was an outbreak of anything they where not vaccinated against. I had to keep my DS home when there was a chicken pox "outbreak". So I did what they told me to do and kept him home until they said it was clear (which was only 2 days ).

I have many issues with the public school bullying parents into doing many things that we do not feel are right for our children. If you do not feel this is right for your child then I would not do it.

I hope you find some answers when the school opens in a few weeks. Is your central office open yet? Our always opens a few weeks before school starts.

Good Luck!

 

[ChristusG]

That's crazy. I can understand about schools wanting children vaccinated for things that they can catch while sitting in class. But an STD? Come on, that's just crazy.

I selectively vaccinate my children, so they do not have all of their shots. Just ones that I feel are a benefit to them. My girls are not old enough, but I have already decided that this is probably not a vaccine that they will get. I totally do not understand why a school would make this one mandatory.

 

[madonniac]

I teach in a public school and even if school isn't in, someone, somewhere should be in central office. However, if your child goes to private or parochial school that's different.

I think that's crazy to make you get a shot like that. I would not get it nor would I allow my daughter (if I had one) get it.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I teach in a public school and even if school isn't in, someone, somewhere should be in central office. However, if your child goes to private or parochial school that's different.

This is public school. The letter I got gave a number to call at the school if I had any questions. I called...over and over all day yesterday (probably a good 50 times and that's no exaggeration) and every single time it was busy, which led me to believe the phone was simply off the hook. I figured with it being two weeks until school starts that administrative staff would be there.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

That's crazy. I can understand about schools wanting children vaccinated for things that they can catch while sitting in class. But an STD? Come on, that's just crazy.

Just to clarify...its NOT solely an STD...
yes...it can be transmitted that way... but it can also happen to virgins....

I haven't made up my mind on it yet for my daughter...although she is sold on the commercials, saying she wants to be 'one less'... lol

But...makes no sense that a school can REQUIRE that vaccine...

 

[zurgswife]

I gave my dd11 the first shot 5 weeks ago. Soon there after the news had more questions about it. I spoke with my doctor she said if it was her dd she wouldn't give the next of the series of 3 shots until more info came out...So, I'm not.

 

[bumbershoot]

You're in NJ : www.nvic.org/state-site/NewJersey.htm

 

[imthatgirl]

you really need to call your superintendant. even though school is not in session, there will be someone in his/her office. this vaccine is not even on the list that the CDC puts out of "required" vaccines. how dare they ask you have your child vaccinated with this?

personally i would immediately take my child out of a school that required it. there is no way in hell i would be getting that for her right now.

 

[Tink-aholic]

I find it interesting that this vaccine is seemingly being compared to the vaccine for Chicken Pox or the flu shot. HPV causes cervical cancer. We are not talking about a few missed days from school -- this infection can cause a terminal disease.

Statistically, at least 50% of the population has HPV (according the the CDC). I am a high school teacher and I know what kids are doing out there. Heck, I know what I was doing at their age. And I wish I had the choice to take such a shot back then.

Speaking of statistics, roughly 46,000 people die in car accidents per year (according to national automobile accident statistics), while about 23,000 people will be diagnosed with HPV-related cancer this year. I bet you make your daughters wear seat belts, right?

I sincerely hope none of your daughters end up with cervical cancer. And if they do, how would you ever look them in the eyes and tell them that you refused to get them the vaccine to prevent it?