HPV Vaccines: Will You Vaccinate Your Kids?

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate. That is the question every parent faces. Credit: ZaldyImg, Flickr

The decision to vaccinate or not vaccinate is a personal one, and every parent tries to do what’s right for their kids with the information provided to them. For me, the benefits of protecting myself and my kids from deadly diseases have far outweighed any risks associated with the vaccine. It even amazes me that my kids aren’t going to have to suffer through chicken pox like I did, because there’s now a vaccine for it. (Kids these days!)

Because of the now-debunked study that linked vaccinations to autism, many parents are treading lightly where vaccines are concerned. Even though more research has piled up showing that there’s no link between autism and vaccines, it hasn’t stopped parents from skipping vaccines or following different schedules for vaccinations. It’s likely this hesitation that is causing parents to skip the HPV vaccination that’s now available. HPV viruses can cause various types of cancer in both women and men, but most commonly cervical cancer. The vaccines appear to be working, as the HPV infection rate among girls between the ages of 14 and 19 dropped by 56 percent with the arrival of the vaccines Cervarix and Gardasil. While the vaccine is most effective with three doses, even a single dose of the vaccine cut the risk of HPV by 82 percent. But even with the success rate of preventing infection, nearly two-thirds of teenage girls skipped the vaccinations.

If you’ve been curious about the HPV vaccine, read on for five things you should know about the HPV vaccines — and tell us: will you vaccinate your kids against HPV? —Erin