Texas governor orders anti-cervical cancer vaccine for all schoolgirls

I have learned an awful lot about medications/vaccines of any kind, with DH being so sick for so long and then me w/ lupus. I will not take a pill or a vaccine unless it has been on the market for 5yrs.

Excellent post, Erin.  The thing is ... you can teach your kids right from wrong and teach them to behave the way you would like them to behave - and at some point they're going to do whatever their friends are doing, regardless. I'd be willing to bet the farm that all the 13, 14 & 15 year olds out there having sex were not told by their parents that this is OK.  And absolutely, people do need to realize that HPV is not a result of promiscuity the same way they had to realize that AIDS is not just a *gay* disease.
 
Joyce

VAERS and CDC monitor vaccine adverse reactions which is what I was referring to. That is, if more adverse reactions show up in the next few years that the vaccine is in widespread use. I don't have any philosophical opposition to vaccinations. My kids are all up to date. I don't know where anybody has posted that they have in this thread. I read your links, but was only able to view the abstracts. Even FDA acknowledges that this was a "rapid approval" (their words, not mine, if you want to argue with that post on their sitehttp://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01385.html). FWIW,  I have HPV and as long as the reports of adverse reactions don't continue, my girls will get the vaccine when they are age appropriate. Forgive the heck out of me for going to sleep with my husband last night instead of staying on. I saw a freakin' headline and thought sharing information would be appreciated. I won't make that mistake again.

Why should some woman be at risk because some looney doesn't give it to their kid and they pass HPV to the guy she is sleeping with

I found  that very rude and uncalled for. My girls will not be getting vaccinated for this yet, and I don't consider myself  Loony
 
 
 
They don't even know for sure how long this vaccine will last in your system, they aren't sure if and or when you need a booster.
saveastray2day, I appreciate the links.
I have talked to my kids pediatrician and also my own doctor about this, I have also done my own research through the internet. There is not enough information about long term affects for me to have my girls get it.
This has nothing to do with morals to me. My kids are aducated about sexually transmitted diseases by myself and their schools. I do think it is wrong for the government to try to force something so new to the market on children. If I lived in Texas, I would be opting my children out of this vaccine.
 

I am not morally opposed to this vaccine.  I'm delighted that it's become widely available.  Nor do I think that only sl*ts get STD's, or gays get aids.  I have an issue with a govenor arbitarily deciding for everyone what will happen....removing the choice from parents.
 
I understood this thread to be a quest for opinions. I offered mine.

I'm not taking sides here, just playing devil's advocate.  With any new procedure, vaccine, or medication, there are risks.  So, what would be your opinion of this question if, suddenly, the vaccine were found to be harmful?  Is the risk worth the gain?  I'm thinking it might be, but then again, I have a friend who has several family members who have been adversely affected by common vaccines that have been considered safe for years.
 A few years ago, menopausal women were all being put on HRT, then, later, there were problems with HRT.  What do you think the government's responsibility is in terms of guaranteeing the safety of the vaccine?

What do you think the government's responsibility is in terms of guaranteeing the safety of the vaccine?

Obviously you can never anticipate every outcome, but that's why the FDA is here with different phases of clinical trials. Vaccines are different then medications because they are immediately destroyed by your own immune system. That's how they generate antibodies for future attacks. Much different then a drug that you take daily and continues to affect multiple systems. Again, I repeat, the trials have been done, I posted some of the most recent reviews/trials. The results are fantastic, with impressive Ab generation and no major reactions . Quick for the FDA is still a long time remember. The FDA is a pain and doesn't approve things lightly. They approved it as quick as they could after the trials were over because this has the potential to save so many lives. And I'm sorry to whoever thought I was being rude, but I still think you are looney if you choose to allow your child to be unprotected from a potentially lethal dz. If you wait a few years, you may have waited long enough for your child to start on the road to Cervical cancer. I would never take that gamble with my child. Gamble all you want with your own. I'll continue with others at my institution to raise money to provide free Guardisil to the underprivledged in our area. Oh and there are no boosters required for this vaccine, just a series of three over six months just like the Hep B vaccine.

Oh and there are no boosters required for this vaccine, just a series of three over six months just like the Hep B vaccine.

This is taken right from the FDA website [linkhttp://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/hpv.html]http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/hpv.html[/link]

  
How long are you protected?
Since the vaccine is new, more studies need to be done. For example, the FDA does not know if you will need to have a booster after a couple of years.

I have had 2 Dr's tell me they don't blame me for not rushing into this, if it were their children they would have some serious doubts too. I think I'll listen to them.
 

I have to say that the FDA is not always the best arbiter of what's safe or not either.  I remember when the Proheart 6 shot came out for dogs, I hesitated, and did not opt to use it - so glad now that I made that choice.  Granted, I had other options for heartworm prevention, and this is all we have for HPV prevention, but I never have a problem with at least a modicum of caution.  

My sister has received the vaccine and has had no adverse effects so far.

I'm too old or I would get it.  Though I can hope that my current BF and I are together forever, you never know what will happen.

Like someone else said, it doesn't matter how you raise your children, at some point, they will be pressured into doing something, kiss, touch, sex, etc.  It happens.  I would have my child get it and do all within my power to discuss sex and all that goes along with it, at as early an age as I thought they could understand, but I wouldn't count on that to keep them from experimenting.

Edited: As for making it mandatory, I hope that also makes all insurance providers cover it.  As well as those without insurance, can get it for free.  If I have no insurance and can't afford, you had better darn well not FORCE me to pay for something I can't afford.  If you want to make it mandatory, make it free damn it.