HEALTH

Why Are HPV Vaccine Rates So Low?

It's been hailed as one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer, but millions of young women have yet to get immunized.

By Karen Springen | Newsweek Web Exclusive

Feb 25, 2008 | Updated: 6:02 p.m. ET Feb 25, 2008

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Discuss

Posted By: qtshad @ 09/23/2008 12:14:36 PM

Comment: Because the article was pro-vaccine, here are some arguments against it:
(1) unproven long-term safety record,
(2) expensive,
(3) incidence of cancer from HPV is low, even if the vaccine is effective,
(4) incentive of Merck to whitewash any problems,
(5) incentive of "sex without consequences" crowd to jump at anything that validates their world view,
(6) bundling it for 6-year-olds to increase adoption smacks of manipulation and lack of transparency.
Posted By: Margaux @ 08/21/2008 6:04:24 PM

Comment: I've heard that there have been some deaths associated with the HPV vaccine. Can you please tell me more about that?
Posted By: laracheerful @ 03/21/2008 12:05:25 PM

Comment: My daughter had a severe reation to the HPV vaccine and it almost cost her life. The reason I chose to vaccinate is because it was FDA and CDC approved. The government did not do their homework on this one, and I am ashamed to say I believed them when they said it was safe for my child. My child now has chronic pancreatitis and will live with this for the rest of her life. She has had two major surgeries and her can no longer eat a regular diet. My sister died of cervical cancer and I felt it was important at the time. I still feel I am lucky and that my child is not one of the 13 who have lost their lives.
Posted By: almost40 @ 03/20/2008 11:16:12 AM

Comment: I was diagnosed with HPV in 1988 when I was 19 yrs old. In the past 20 yrs I have had surgery for pre-cervical cancer & several surgeries for Vulva cancer(also caused by HPV but rarely discussed by the media). These treatments were not fun, they were painful, they disrupted my life, disrupted my love life, and complicated my fertility. This disease caused me alot of heartache and embarrassment. Three shots, even if they are painful, are nothing in comparison. Please people get immunized!!!!!! Get your daughters immunized! I would never wish what I have been through on anyone!
Posted By: FindtheSilverLining! @ 03/10/2008 12:04:10 AM

Comment: I am a teenager and I have gotten the vaccine it is painful but look at it this way, a shot will hurt way less than cancer treatments. If we have the power to stop something potentially deadly from affecting us I don't know why people are even hesitating. If you truly want what's best for the women in your family then encourage them to get vaccinated. People did spend time and money to develop something to help prevent cancer because they were bored they wanted to help people and if people refuse to accept that help then they shouldn't have wasted their time I'm sure they had many other things to do with their time so if you get cancer becuase you refused to get the vaccination you deserve it because its your own fault that you couldn't take a little time out of your precious life to prevent something terrible so if you don't get gardisil good luck to you and I hope you live through it
Posted By: PowerToThePositive @ 03/08/2008 12:45:56 AM

Comment: I have HPV and did receive treatment for an abornormal pap about 12 years ago. I was told that we can carry it around for years without knowing it. Finding out who gave it to you is unrealistic, unless you've had less than 2 partners in your life. Call me what you may, but I don't have a clue where mine came from. The procedure to remove the abnormal tissue in the cervix was quite painful and more importantly frightening. Thinking you could have cervical cancer is not a laughing matter. It is extremely deadly.
I am now the mother of a 19 year old daughter. A month before her birthday she went in for a pap-smear and her first HPV vaccination. This child hates pain, but only grimaced during the shot. We will be back this month for shot number two. I'm sorry for those who have had bad reactions to this drug. In the profession of cures, there is always this chance. For all the lives it will save. I say thank you to the scientists and those who participated in the years of studies.
Power to the Positive
Posted By: kelleyanne @ 03/07/2008 11:14:22 AM

Comment: This article is missing the obvious reason why we aren't rushing to get immunized-educated Americans have wised up to the fact that immunizations can be just as dangerous as what they're trying to immunize against. I for one refuse to be the pharmaceutical company's guinea pig.
Posted By: Ma_Girl @ 03/06/2008 6:41:27 PM

Comment: After reading all the comments I'm surpirsed no one has spoken about the fact that some doctors won't give the vaccine to you. I had just turned 26 when I asked for the vaccine and the issue was always pushed on the backburner. I spoke to 3 different doctors only to have the last doctor tell me to schedule an appointment and then tell me I was too old to get it. The soonest appointment she had available wasn't until 2 weeks after my birthday. I'm not the only one that has had this problem either. Marie Claire pulished an article in their February 2008 issue about another woman that had the same problems trying to get the vaccine, though she was more succesfull than me
Posted By: JenPinTejas @ 03/03/2008 3:24:12 PM

Comment: Didn't "I am Legend" start with a cancer vaccine? ;)
Posted By: AliveinNZ @ 03/01/2008 8:34:36 PM

Comment: Tell that to that Mothers whose daughters are now DEAD, because the recieved this Vaccine. Tell that to the FDA who KNEW AND DOCUMENTED that HPV IS NOT the cause of cervical cance, Thell that to Merck who are currently litigating MASSIVE lawsuits because their last amazing drug VIOXX, which they said was safe, killed 160000 Americans. Tell that to JAMA who documented on research and trials, with end results that Gardasil was USELESS, and offer NO therepeutic benefit whatsoever. Tell that to Merck whos own documented research shows that the huge percentage of women who do have a HPV virus, the chances of increasing lesions go up 44%, increasing your chances of cancer. Tell that to Merck whos trials showed the vaccine ingredient Polysorbate 80 causes sterility in the animals it wass tested on, and why Merck had NO proof the it was safe from causing mass sterility in girls in the future when asked in the first bill before the commitee. Or how about actual documented FDA papers stating that Merck does not even know if Gardacil is safe.
Ask yourself this seriously, there are massive amounts of diseased girls after recieving Gardacil, and also dead ones. Want to gamble with your family tree coming to an abrupt end, do the math. Watch this and wake up Mothers, because Merck is lobbying to make Gardacil madatory for boys. Shots = $950 X 60,000,000 kids = lots of cash for Merck.
http://www.naturalnews.com/Report_HPV_Vaccine_7.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK97CHQZhq0
Posted By: AliveinNZ @ 03/01/2008 8:34:12 PM

Comment: Tell that to that Mothers whose daughters are now DEAD, because the recieved this Vaccine. Tell that to the FDA who KNEW AND DOCUMENTED that HPV IS NOT the cause of cervical cance, Thell that to Merck who are currently litigating MASSIVE lawsuits because their last amazing drug VIOXX, which they said was safe, killed 160000 Americans. Tell that to JAMA who documented on research and trials, with end results that Gardasil was USELESS, and offer NO therepeutic benefit whatsoever. Tell that to Merck whos own documented research shows that the huge percentage of women who do have a HPV virus, the chances of increasing lesions go up 44%, increasing your chances of cancer. Tell that to Merck whos trials showed the vaccine ingredient Polysorbate 80 causes sterility in the animals it wass tested on, and why Merck had NO proof the it was safe from causing mass sterility in girls in the future when asked in the first bill before the commitee. Or how about actual documented FDA papers stating that Merck does not even know if Gardacil is safe.
Ask yourself this seriously, there are massive amounts of diseased girls after recieving Gardacil, and also dead ones. Want to gamble with your family tree coming to an abrupt end, do the math. Watch this and wake up Mothers, because Merck is lobbying to make Gardacil madatory for boys. Shots = $950 X 60,000,000 kids = lots of cash for Merck.
http://www.naturalnews.com/Report_HPV_Vaccine_7.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK97CHQZhq0
Posted By: Kami @ 02/29/2008 11:00:21 PM

Comment: Women have always been the ones to take care of their own health. I can't believe that women would not take this shot when it only benefits them. My daughter took all three injections willingly and with no side effects or pain. Sure injections sting but good health is the ultimate goal. My daughter is not sexually active, but in this day and age with diseases rampant, one less disease to worry about is good.
Posted By: Cssndra @ 02/28/2008 3:52:15 PM

Comment: You know why I didn't get shots two and three? the damn things hurt like a MO FO
Posted By: Starlily05 @ 02/28/2008 3:17:34 AM

Comment: How about the 5 year rule when testing new drugs!! Anyone who takes a "new' vaccine when its just on the market is asking to be hit with unknown side effects!! Why anyone would push their kids to get this new vaccine when its barely been out a year is beyond me...
- Posted By: Your Average Person @ 04/17/2008 10:02:22 PM
  
  Comment: Amen sister!
  These people are letting big drug companies scare them into PAYING to be a guinea pig.
  Anyone who has studied history knows new drugs/vaccines can have some surprising side effects years down the road. I hope your gamble pays off, and your children don't pay a high price like past generations.
Posted By: Ildor @ 02/27/2008 10:31:20 PM

Comment: To all the non-thinkers: If you want to trust your future to a company that puts profits above you, that's your bad call. Nobody in any comment I can find stated that they should not make money. However, when all the other criteria rides on that, then once again you have the tail wagging the dog. Hey, it's just sex right? And everybody is going to participate right? Then why worry about a little old vaccination at all, that has already proven out not to be 100%. So, the way I see it: if you want to behave like a couple dogs hooked up in the front yard, hey! it's just sex. If you have that much trouble with self control, then I say: cut loose all your fantasaical desires and trust some vaccine to bail your pathetic ass out of the jam that you got yourself into.
Posted By: observer101 @ 02/27/2008 8:30:07 PM

Comment: Well parents dont fear....Sooner or later the government and pharm companies will pull there popular tactics and make it a requirement just to keep kids in school, then eventually call it misdemeanor child neglect if one doesnt have there childs immune shots updated with it. So eventually the Merck co. and Gov. will get there way.
Posted By: Rugger86 @ 02/27/2008 4:40:25 PM

Comment: Seriously? Are you guys even thinking about the long term benefits? Okay, the company makes money, and yes it's a sexually transmitted disease, but kids are having sex! To turn a blind eye to the fact that teenagers do engage in sexual activity is ludicrous. As a parent, you would think that your ultimate goal is to protect your children, even if you don't agree with when they decide to engage in sexual behavior, and if the vaccine could possibly greatly reduce the risk of an STD, or cervical cancer...I don't see the problem.
Posted By: Ildor @ 02/27/2008 12:38:41 AM

Comment: Just basic common sense destroyed this entire article if you just read the first paragraph. You had to shut your brain down and not read your own article, Karen. To quote a mother saying that a sexually transmitted disease is not about sex, it's just plain healthy? I guess I will just stop taking vitamins and get my shot. How terriffic. Sounds like she plans on her daughters following her and her sister. Very little responsibility for your own actions and lots of time on your back with your legs in the air. This is really disappointing, terrible article full of erroneous information.
- Posted By: Firmbelieverinvaccinations @ 04/11/2008 4:52:20 PM
  
  Comment: I myself have HPV and have only been with ONE person my ex-husband, and now I have the virus so are you saying any woman who has sex is just laying with their feet in the air? because it sounds to me like you just called the mother in the story who is preventing her daughter(s) from getting a terrible virus that can KILL her a whore along with her sister? Let me just ask you one question... are you one of the those religious freaks who think that any vaccine is crazy even if it prevents a possible illness, and let me tell you another thing READ the article it states sex is not THE only way to get HVP, Your a hipocrite and yes I would get my daughter vaccinated as well....
Posted By: sash @ 02/26/2008 7:18:45 PM

Comment: After having cancer as a child, (now I'm in my 20s) I knew the risks involved in not getting the Gardasil vaccine. I know what surgery and treatment are like. However, I am also aware that the vaccine was not tested long term, and the sample size was very small. In addition, I take issue with the fact that young boys are not encouraged to get the vaccine as well. It takes two people to be sexually active and everyone should feel responsible for the health of their partners. I agree with the parents who with hold from giving their children a vaccine which should be tested long term.
Also
Posted By: cm2121 @ 02/26/2008 2:15:15 PM

Comment: Wenzzdae, you have just shown your ignorace of this topic. Unless the person has the strain that causes genital warts, there are no symptoms. It is impossible to tell who has it and who doesn't, and since there is no test in men, you cannot tell if your partner has the virus.
- Posted By: wenzzdae @ 02/28/2008 9:51:54 AM
  
  Comment: cm2121 youre a vapid twat as if a woman who never had sex is about to get married and says oh honey i have to get a vaccine now in case you give me cancer
- Posted By: wenzzdae @ 02/28/2008 9:43:14 AM
  
  Comment: Enter Your Commentim quite sure you *** so many ppl you wouldnt have any idea who gave it to you
- Posted By: wenzzdae @ 02/28/2008 9:40:09 AM
  
  Comment: to cm you are the ignorant one, im sure your mother is a lowlife 2 cent crack whore and ppl like you should be worried you pile of filthy skeevey trash
Posted By: porkfat1 @ 02/26/2008 2:09:19 PM

Comment: How totally irresponsible you are. How much did Merck pay you not to mention the:

???8 more deaths connected to HPV vaccine; Adverse reactions from Gardasil number in thousands??? (World Net Daily, October 06, 2007) or

???As of June 30 2007, VAERS had received 13 reports concerning GBS after Gardasil. These 13 GBS reports are currently undergoing expert review.??? CDC/Office of the Chief Science Officer/Immunization Safety Office.

You are acting as the marketing arm of Merck by ommiting these facts. Any chance that the writer of this article previously worked at the New York Times?
Posted By: wenzzdae @ 02/26/2008 1:57:57 PM

Comment: IF YOU DONT KNOW THE PERSON WELL ENOUGH TO KNOW YOURE NOT GOING TO CATCH ANYTHING FROM THEM YOU DESERVE TO DIE OF CANCER COZ YOURE A FILTHY WHORE
- Posted By: arby665 @ 08/21/2008 10:51:03 PM
  
  Comment: Maybe you should go and read a book. Get some kind of education behind you before you talk about something that you know nothing about,
- Posted By: Terrils @ 02/26/2008 2:27:27 PM
  
  Comment: Yes, of course. Because no one you know really well would EVER, for instance, lie to you. Or not actually know themselves, yet, whether they have a disease. Right?
Posted By: Winter360 @ 02/26/2008 11:57:15 AM

Comment: This article also assumes that parents have total say over our adolescent daughter's medical care. At lest in my house, adolescents are old enough to begin making decisions about their own health care. I've a 16yr old step daughter who's sexually active and although I've advocated the vaccine to her, particularly while she's still covered by our insurance, she's having none of it. I'm in no way going to start some battle with her over a personal mecical decision that has both pros and cons. The farthest I went was to encourage her Dr. to articulate the pros and cons of the vaccine to her personally, but the decision remains in her hands. So let's not look at this issue without acknowledging that we're talking about a group of young people who are capable of exercising signifigant say in their own healthcare.
Posted By: popslashgirl @ 02/26/2008 10:52:32 AM

Comment: I really want this vaccine, and haven't been able to get it (I'm two years over the cutoff). It bugs me that there are girls and parents who are missing out on this valuable tool to keep themselves healthy and safe.Do these people realize just how many people have HPV? Why wait, even for a moment? Maybe they don't want to think of their little thirteen-year-old angel having sex, but do these parents think their kids will NEVER have sex, never ever ever? Vaccines are all about planning for the future, not obsessing about the present.
- Posted By: almost40 @ 03/20/2008 11:25:18 AM
  
  Comment: I'm pretty sure if you request an hpv pap and the results are negative that you can stll receive the vaccine at any age. Of course your insurance may not pay for it. But ask your doctor.
- Posted By: Cssndra @ 02/28/2008 3:55:39 PM
  
  Comment: Popslashgirl -
  
  I'm 34. I pestered my insurance into it. They paid....try again!
Posted By: coolucy @ 02/26/2008 10:16:07 AM

Comment: So experts are beginning to wonder whether the vaccine should also be given to boys? Well, males may not get HPV-linked cervical cancer but they certainly get genital warts and are half the equation in spreading the HPV virus. They should be strongly urged to be vaccinated as well.
Posted By: juliasv @ 02/26/2008 6:43:58 AM

Comment: I manage a pharmacy and have access to the industry publications, so was able to see the development of the vaccine as it was progressing. As soon as my insurance approved Gardasil; my daughter began receiving the vaccine (she was 13 at the time). Yes, there is a curve in any drug or vaccine, but there are also people who are more susceptible to diseases. Family history needs to be taken into account when deciding.
Posted By: burbank @ 02/26/2008 1:59:50 AM

Comment: Is it just about sexual activity, or long term consequences? How does the vaccine react to the devloping bodies of tween and teenage girls? Have any long term studies been done to validate the saftey of the vaccine? While I can understand the good intentions of those within the pharmaceutical community to mitigate the onset of serious disease, I am reminded of another drug that was touted as a sedative for pregnant women that caused fetal abnormanlities back in the fifty's...that drug was thalidomide.
Posted By: stuckinsuburbia @ 02/26/2008 12:39:10 AM

Comment: I feel that you left out a huge demographic in this article. Those who are educated about HPV, cervical cancer and yet are still declining the shot. They are declining not for religious, financial or due to a lack of education on HPV but because it is has an unproven track record. The FDA liscensed this with very very little information and testing done. I don't choose to have my daughters as the guinea pig for Merck.
- Posted By: Laurie_ah @ 02/28/2008 2:38:23 PM
  
  Comment: Little testing? The initial study done in humans included 12,000 girls and women. Worldwide, over 2 million females have received the vaccine. They already have 5 years of data to show that the vaccine is protective. Eventhough it shouldn't be given to pregnant women, you can bet that in a group of 12,000 women & amongst the 2 million who've received it, someone is going to end up being pregnant without knowing it & still get the vaccine. So it turns out it's also the MOST researched vacccine in pregnancy & has not been shown to cause problems. There's plenty of research. I think the problem is that people choose the wrong sources for information. And no, I don't work for the pharmaceutical industry or the FDA.
Posted By: kd83 @ 02/26/2008 12:17:37 AM

Comment: It's possible that many people are waiting to see what (if any) long-term side effects of the vaccine will be. I'm sure that some parents and young women are wary of this fact - I know I am. If the teen/young woman is not sexually active, I see no reason to go and rush out to get this vaccine. After all, as it states in the article, they don't even know how long the immunity lasts; how could they know at this point what the long-term side effects could be?
Posted By: mcjwwebb @ 02/26/2008 12:05:16 AM

Comment: My state requires an 11 yr checkup and dpt shot. My doctor also offers the Guardisil and Menetra shot at that time. I went in planning to start the series with my twins. My insurance covers the dpt shot and Menectra but not the HPV shot. Since ins covered one of the shots I was ineligible for the state financed HPV shot and his office charges 180 per shot so the total for my twins would have been 1080.00. So we will be waiting a little longer. If i no insurance I could get it for free. I will wait until coverage gets worked out.
Posted By: Listen Up @ 02/25/2008 11:52:17 PM

Comment: Contrary to everyone below, I think that getting this is a GREAT idea! If you can avoid cancer, why would it be bad? Even if cervical cancer is easily treated, it's still cancer. I know where I live the government offers the shot for only $5 and I live in the most conservative state in the country (Utah). And yes, everyone should get yearly pap smears, but if that many American's are uninsured you know it's not happening. The whole arguement that it promotes young girls to become sexually active is ludicrous.
- Posted By: qtshad @ 09/23/2008 12:01:09 PM
  
  Comment: There are a lot of bad things you can avoid easily--if you dont mind the trade-offs. You're much more likely to die in an auto accident than to get cancer from HPV. Oh--you're still driving? For shame.
Posted By: mommymuse @ 02/25/2008 11:40:18 PM

Comment: One of the reasons the vaccine troubles me are the misleading ads. What is HPV? A SEXUALLY transmitted disease! The ads show bewildered girls and women making doe eyes at the camera, all seeming shocked that cervical cancer is caused by "a common virus." The ads make it SEEM like it's the common cold, that you can get it from using a pay phone or touching a grocery cart! The fact that they are trying to make it mandatory in some states for 9 year olds is very troubling. Honestly, treating the American public as if they are stupid is not the way for drug companies to get on our good side. I think it's MY job to protect my daughters and keep them safe from STD's through good parenting, honest, open communication and starting at early ages teaching abstinence until marriage. It is the best way, and hey, it worked for me!
- Posted By: Ildor @ 02/27/2008 12:59:41 AM
  
  Comment: Great comment! Thanks for being a thinker. Your family is and will benefit from your commitment for a long time. Too many of us have our heads in the sand when it comes to some vaccinations. Do we really believe that Merck or any other highly competitive pharmaceutical company, actuall has a priority that's even close to: being first with a drug to be approved for market, and making more millions. I'm sorry, but it simply isn't about these medical companies wanting to protect everybody from harm. .
Posted By: PollySigh @ 02/25/2008 11:37:12 PM

Comment:

This vaccine is NOT a good idea! Only a tiny percent of people with HPV ever get cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the most easily prevented, detected and treated of all cancers. In the first place it's impossible to get it unless you have sex. Since this vaccione only protects against 70% of the strains that cause cancer.. it is USELESS against the other 30% .. then sexually active women and girls have to get pap smears anyway. And people who get regular pap smears do NOT die of cervical cancer.. usually they don't even get it. Regular papsmears can find pre cancerous conditions beofre they become cancer. What about tose 3700 people that die of cervical cancer... they have not had regular papsmears and the majority of them have NEVER had a papsmear.

It makes no sense to make your daughter get expensive , painful shots that don't work and that she doesn't need. (Since the shot is only good for five years, giving it to baboes would be even more ridiculous). Women musy have sex to get cervical cancer and women who get pap smears don't die of cervical cancer. We must continue to inform people that girls don't need these shots and they are a very bad idea.
Posted By: howwiwowie @ 02/25/2008 11:00:04 PM

Comment: Every medication has its side effects. To the end its about whether the benefit out-weights the side effects. If I was the young teen, I will be very unhappy that my parents will not allow me to be vaccinated, and allow me having a higher chance to get cancer later. There is NO CURE for most of the cancers!!
Posted By: herpeslove @ 02/25/2008 9:43:37 PM

Comment: There are many different reason for this problem. Check hwo HPV people see on a HPV community: http://www.stdpal.com. You can find their worries on the blog page after login
Posted By: mpn096 @ 02/25/2008 9:42:58 PM

Comment:
Posted By: mpn096 @ 02/25/2008 9:41:06 PM

Comment: Unfortunately, I completely agree with the earlier poster. Despite having a hysterectomy due to cervical cancer likely due to HPV, I will not have my pre-teen daughters be the guinea pigs, until a proven safety record is shown in a large population. Especially in light of recent findings of questionable pharm clinical trial practices (which I am sure are not recent in occurrence), the term "Buyer Beware" must be applied to any pharm agencies.
Posted By: mpn096 @ 02/25/2008 9:37:53 PM

Comment: I completely agree with the former poster. I have had a hysterectomy due to a noninvasive cervical ca likely due to HPV, but will still NOT have my pre-teen daughters be the guinea pigs until their is a proven safety record in a large population. Unfortunately, in light of questionable pharm clinical trials, BUYER BEWARE is sadly the viewpoint of some potential users of this vaccine.
Posted By: samaral @ 02/25/2008 8:36:20 PM

Comment: Was this article sponsored by Merck? It completely overlooks the fact that many parents, myself included, have refused the vaccine based on it's lack of a proven safety record. Having lost my father to cancer, I am fully aware of the dreadful nature of this disease. I am also aware of the intense marketing done by drug companies at our expense. Often times, these drugs and vaccines are pushed through the FDA without adequate testing. I am not afraid my daughter will eventually have sex, I am absolutely certain of it. I am however afraid of making a decision about her health that could have lifelong consequences. My child is not a guinea pig. I may change my mind at a later date, but for now, she remains "one less" cash cow for Merck.
- Posted By: jaypea @ 02/25/2008 9:46:06 PM
  
  Comment: I couldn't have said it better. My decision not to vaccinate my daughter is not about money, nor is it about my concern for her future sex life. I will not subject my daughter to possible side effects of a drug that has not been tested long term. I honestly wish she was younger so I could have more time to decide; but at this point; given all of the issues with "FDA Approved" drugs and their long term impacts, I am not willing to make a decision that could affect her or her future health, fertility or children.
- Posted By: mpn096 @ 02/25/2008 9:44:16 PM
  
  Comment: Thank you for posting for many of us who do not fit into the articles neat category of uninformed, uninsured, or ignorant persons who are refusing the latest pharm offering.
  - Posted By: phinny5 @ 02/26/2008 12:04:02 AM
    
    Comment: Personally, I'm very happy that I received the shot. I was diagnosed with genital warts and then talked to several health professionals who advised me that I was still capable of getting the shot. Since I started, I have been entirely clear and had a perfect pap. Maybe I'm just lucky, but it was a decision I made for myself and I have encouraged others to do the same. HPV is a common virus, there are about 100 different 'species' associated with, for example, plantar's warts . Sexual intercourse is not necessary to spread the virus either.
    
    Just some food for thought. If any of you as a mother or a father don't feel comfortable with your daughter receiving the shot, then that is fine. Just let her know that when she does become sexually active, it may not be a bad idea.
    
    Of course, knowing the offense is the best defense. Educate yourself and your loved ones about the virus, the diseases associated and make a judgment from there. The CDC is a good place to start, unlike opinion articles on newsweek or a blog. All I really know is I've been better with it than I was without, and that I'd rather know now what I didn't know then.

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Why Are HPV Vaccine Rates So Low?

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Posted By: qtshad @ 09/23/2008 12:14:36 PM

Posted By: Margaux @ 08/21/2008 6:04:24 PM

Posted By: laracheerful @ 03/21/2008 12:05:25 PM

Posted By: almost40 @ 03/20/2008 11:16:12 AM

Posted By: FindtheSilverLining! @ 03/10/2008 12:04:10 AM

Posted By: PowerToThePositive @ 03/08/2008 12:45:56 AM

Posted By: kelleyanne @ 03/07/2008 11:14:22 AM

Posted By: Ma_Girl @ 03/06/2008 6:41:27 PM

Posted By: JenPinTejas @ 03/03/2008 3:24:12 PM

Posted By: AliveinNZ @ 03/01/2008 8:34:36 PM

Posted By: AliveinNZ @ 03/01/2008 8:34:12 PM

Posted By: Kami @ 02/29/2008 11:00:21 PM

Posted By: Cssndra @ 02/28/2008 3:52:15 PM

Posted By: Starlily05 @ 02/28/2008 3:17:34 AM

Posted By: Your Average Person @ 04/17/2008 10:02:22 PM

Posted By: Ildor @ 02/27/2008 10:31:20 PM

Posted By: observer101 @ 02/27/2008 8:30:07 PM

Posted By: Rugger86 @ 02/27/2008 4:40:25 PM

Posted By: Ildor @ 02/27/2008 12:38:41 AM

Posted By: Firmbelieverinvaccinations @ 04/11/2008 4:52:20 PM

Posted By: sash @ 02/26/2008 7:18:45 PM

Posted By: cm2121 @ 02/26/2008 2:15:15 PM

Posted By: wenzzdae @ 02/28/2008 9:51:54 AM

Posted By: wenzzdae @ 02/28/2008 9:43:14 AM

Posted By: wenzzdae @ 02/28/2008 9:40:09 AM

Posted By: porkfat1 @ 02/26/2008 2:09:19 PM

Posted By: wenzzdae @ 02/26/2008 1:57:57 PM

Posted By: arby665 @ 08/21/2008 10:51:03 PM

Posted By: Terrils @ 02/26/2008 2:27:27 PM

Posted By: Winter360 @ 02/26/2008 11:57:15 AM

Posted By: popslashgirl @ 02/26/2008 10:52:32 AM

Posted By: almost40 @ 03/20/2008 11:25:18 AM

Posted By: Cssndra @ 02/28/2008 3:55:39 PM

Posted By: coolucy @ 02/26/2008 10:16:07 AM

Posted By: juliasv @ 02/26/2008 6:43:58 AM

Posted By: burbank @ 02/26/2008 1:59:50 AM

Posted By: stuckinsuburbia @ 02/26/2008 12:39:10 AM

Posted By: Laurie_ah @ 02/28/2008 2:38:23 PM

Posted By: kd83 @ 02/26/2008 12:17:37 AM

Posted By: mcjwwebb @ 02/26/2008 12:05:16 AM

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Posted By: qtshad @ 09/23/2008 12:01:09 PM

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