talking to your kid about HPV Vaccine

[Anonymous]

Your 15-year-old should’ve had several sex Ed classes by now that discussed HPV.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but they got it at I think 12 as it was two vs three.

[Anonymous]

We just got the second shot at 14. Started at 13.5.

[Anonymous]

My DD got it at 14. She already knew what it was for, so I didn't have to explain.

[Anonymous]

"This is a vaccine to prevent against some types of cancer." Very simple.

[Anonymous]

It’s a very controversial vaccine, and you should look into it more deeply before you decide to give it to her, OP.

[Anonymous]

There are still a bunch of other STDs you could get even if you have STD vaccine.

I think I just said it’s cancer prevention but my kids were younger 11-12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are still a bunch of other STDs you could get even if you have STD vaccine.

I think I just said it’s cancer prevention but my kids were younger 11-12.

HPV vaccine - sorry!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a very controversial vaccine, and you should look into it more deeply before you decide to give it to her, OP.

I was scared of this too, for myself. I researched the hell out of it and talked to three different doctors about it before getting it. You might read some crazy antivax stuff online. Please ignore it. Protecting your child from cancer and precancers is more important. I got it and was fine.

[Anonymous]

My DS got it at the pediatrician as a regular vaccine at age 12. No I didn't discuss what vaccine it was, he was just told he has to get it, like all the other childhood vaccines. (Not that I'm against discussing STD's but I don't think he cares why he's getting that specific vaccine).
FWIW for my younger DS the pediatrician was pushing us to vaccinate him at age 9, but I'm holding off a while.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Remember when we talked about sexuality transmitted diseases? This prevents against one called HPV, which can also cause cancer. So we're going to do it now so that you're protected from that one disease when the time comes. Of course you still would need to use protection since this doesn't protect against everything"

I’m pretty sure this is close to what I told my kid when she was 11 or 12 and got it. Our nanny had had cervical cancer quite young so I think I used that in the discussion. My kid actually had brain cancer when she was little so talking about cancer isn’t a big deal. And talking about STDs annoys her at this young age (because she cannot imagine a world in which she would ever want to have sex and it seems icky), but it doesn’t stop me from talking about it.

[Anonymous]

Why is she just getting it?

This vaccine is supposed be p be given at 11-12. It protects against cancer causing viruses. What is so hard about this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a very controversial vaccine, and you should look into it more deeply before you decide to give it to her, OP.

No, no it isn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS got it at the pediatrician as a regular vaccine at age 12. No I didn't discuss what vaccine it was, he was just told he has to get it, like all the other childhood vaccines. (Not that I'm against discussing STD's but I don't think he cares why he's getting that specific vaccine).
FWIW for my younger DS the pediatrician was pushing us to vaccinate him at age 9, but I'm holding off a while.

Same! Our doc pushed it on both my kids starting at 9 year old well checkups (!). Mine are now 10 and 14 and we are holding off as long as possible. They have gotten so many more vaccines than normal these last 3 years with all the Covid vaccines and boosters so I want their bodies to have more time to spread them out as much as possible. I've spoken to many different physicians in various fields of medicine, and they all say delaying HPV is completely FINE, so don't let your doc talk you into giving it too early!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a very controversial vaccine, and you should look into it more deeply before you decide to give it to her, OP.

There is nothing any more controversial about it than any other vaccine.