talking to your kid about HPV Vaccine

[Anonymous]

For all those wondering how to explain it - do you explain what each vaccine your child gets is? Do you talk about diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, etc.? Or does your child simply accept those as the routine vaccines you get at the doctor? If the later (which I think is the case for most kids), why do parents suddenly feel the need to talk about this one at more length? This feels like adult angst put into kids. (At least if you vaccinate at the recommended younger ages - maybe older teens are different…they certainly have a lot more say in what they do/don’t receive, or at least should.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did you wait till she was fifteen? Now she will have to get three instead of two and she may have already caught it (it's spread by more than just itnercourse)

My dd had her vaccine at 14 and she already had HPV. The pediatrician said it was becoming more common in middle school so they changed the age to about 11 years old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For all those wondering how to explain it - do you explain what each vaccine your child gets is? Do you talk about diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, etc.? Or does your child simply accept those as the routine vaccines you get at the doctor? If the later (which I think is the case for most kids), why do parents suddenly feel the need to talk about this one at more length? This feels like adult angst put into kids. (At least if you vaccinate at the recommended younger ages - maybe older teens are different…they certainly have a lot more say in what they do/don’t receive, or at least should.)

Most vaccines they are too young to discuss it. When they get older they usually do ask why they need to get a shot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all those wondering how to explain it - do you explain what each vaccine your child gets is? Do you talk about diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, etc.? Or does your child simply accept those as the routine vaccines you get at the doctor? If the later (which I think is the case for most kids), why do parents suddenly feel the need to talk about this one at more length? This feels like adult angst put into kids. (At least if you vaccinate at the recommended younger ages - maybe older teens are different…they certainly have a lot more say in what they do/don’t receive, or at least should.)

Most vaccines they are too young to discuss it. When they get older they usually do ask why they need to get a shot.

Most 11 year old are attacking what acellular pertussis is when they get the Tdap? That level of question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all those wondering how to explain it - do you explain what each vaccine your child gets is? Do you talk about diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, etc.? Or does your child simply accept those as the routine vaccines you get at the doctor? If the later (which I think is the case for most kids), why do parents suddenly feel the need to talk about this one at more length? This feels like adult angst put into kids. (At least if you vaccinate at the recommended younger ages - maybe older teens are different…they certainly have a lot more say in what they do/don’t receive, or at least should.)

Most vaccines they are too young to discuss it. When they get older they usually do ask why they need to get a shot.

Most 11 year old are attacking what acellular pertussis is when they get the Tdap? That level of question?

Usually what is it. And why do I have to get a flu shot?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For all those wondering how to explain it - do you explain what each vaccine your child gets is? Do you talk about diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, etc.? Or does your child simply accept those as the routine vaccines you get at the doctor? If the later (which I think is the case for most kids), why do parents suddenly feel the need to talk about this one at more length? This feels like adult angst put into kids. (At least if you vaccinate at the recommended younger ages - maybe older teens are different…they certainly have a lot more say in what they do/don’t receive, or at least should.)

We talked about this one before DS got it because it’s optional. For the ones that are mandatory for school, that’s a pretty easy conversation. For flu and COVID vaccines, we talk about it and our kids are pro-vaccine. So, yes, we talked about this one. I explained why I thought he should get it and he agreed.

[Anonymous]

Both my children got the HPV at 9 years old. The newer shot is protective against many strains and there’s a lot of good evidence that it can prevent and clear up plantar and other common warts as the strains are so similar. They swim and do martial arts so… yep even if it’s not for sure it can’t hurt. There’s also evidence that it’s more protective if you get it before age 12. It was a simple google search but I can try to find the article.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For all those wondering how to explain it - do you explain what each vaccine your child gets is? Do you talk about diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, etc.? Or does your child simply accept those as the routine vaccines you get at the doctor? If the later (which I think is the case for most kids), why do parents suddenly feel the need to talk about this one at more length? This feels like adult angst put into kids. (At least if you vaccinate at the recommended younger ages - maybe older teens are different…they certainly have a lot more say in what they do/don’t receive, or at least should.)

We might say "chicken pox" or "measles" but we don't say "which you get by doing these actions. I've vaccinated six kids and just gave a breezy "this one prevents some types of cancer" and none of them blinked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For all those wondering how to explain it - do you explain what each vaccine your child gets is? Do you talk about diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, etc.? Or does your child simply accept those as the routine vaccines you get at the doctor? If the later (which I think is the case for most kids), why do parents suddenly feel the need to talk about this one at more length? This feels like adult angst put into kids. (At least if you vaccinate at the recommended younger ages - maybe older teens are different…they certainly have a lot more say in what they do/don’t receive, or at least should.)

I didn't explain because we get all vaccines and kids don't care why.

I don't read them the HIPAA privacy forms either.

Sex ed talk is separate. Started in elementary years. Boils down to "always use 2 bc methods until ready to be a parent" and "anybody could have an STD".

Kids are welcome to ask whatever they want, read the brochure or whatever, but they just want to get the shot over with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did you wait till she was fifteen? Now she will have to get three instead of two and she may have already caught it (it's spread by more than just itnercourse)

My dd had her vaccine at 14 and she already had HPV. The pediatrician said it was becoming more common in middle school so they changed the age to about 11 years old.

Maybe you misheard ? The vaccine has always been labeled for an 11-12 year old start (and actually earlier is even better for stronger immunity). It’s two shots, at the moment, if started before the fifteenth birthday. If you start at 15 it’s three shots due to decreased immune response.

[Anonymous]

I planned to get it for my DD this year at her 11 year old check up (ped’s office sent reminders) but because of other shots the ped suggested waiting to the 12th checkup. I told my daughter “there is a virus that can be spread through sex that can cause cancer. This helps protect against some strains of that virus.” She said “should I get it even if I decide never to have sex?” And I said “it’s a good idea to protect yourself just in case you change your mind someday.” She was fine with that logic but was happy not to need an extra shot this year.

[Anonymous]

Pp here. To other questions on this board, my daughter has actually asked me what mumps, measles, and lockjaw do (or could do) and has asked me why so many people used to die of smallpox and how it spread so much. She wants to be a vet or biologist and is generally curious so that might have shaped some of the conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all those wondering how to explain it - do you explain what each vaccine your child gets is? Do you talk about diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, etc.? Or does your child simply accept those as the routine vaccines you get at the doctor? If the later (which I think is the case for most kids), why do parents suddenly feel the need to talk about this one at more length? This feels like adult angst put into kids. (At least if you vaccinate at the recommended younger ages - maybe older teens are different…they certainly have a lot more say in what they do/don’t receive, or at least should.)

Most vaccines they are too young to discuss it. When they get older they usually do ask why they need to get a shot.

Most 11 year old are attacking what acellular pertussis is when they get the Tdap? That level of question?

Usually what is it. And why do I have to get a flu shot?

It's a vaccine against a virus that can cause cancer. You're getting it because we don't want you to get any cancer we can help prevent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pp here. To other questions on this board, my daughter has actually asked me what mumps, measles, and lockjaw do (or could do) and has asked me why so many people used to die of smallpox and how it spread so much. She wants to be a vet or biologist and is generally curious so that might have shaped some of the conversation.

I don't understand why you can't answer the questions she might have about this vaccine, then. What question is it exactly that is stumping you?

[Anonymous]

More people are waiting until 15 year well checkup I’m learning. This is from asking other parents in my elementary schooler and middle schooler circles.