HPV Vaccination Programme

[AnneWiddecomesArse]

I'm a bit side swiped by this.
I've read some stuff in papers etc. but now my DD has been offered the vaccine in this school year (she's 12 years old); and it's time for a decision.
What are your thoughts/research on this ?

I just am kat, that's how I feel.

Also, all those diseases you mention are coming back into the UK because the vaccs etc are not always given/available in other EU countries and those people coming into the country that are carriers of these diseases are bringing them here.

And unfortunately some people are refusing to vaccinate their children now, putting vulnerable groups at risk of diseases that had almost been eradicated.

Yes but we still have the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis and a national vaccination programme for 12-13 year olds. So we can prevent kids in this country from getting it from the people coming from abroad. Makes sense. If everyone thinks they don't need to get their kids vaccinated then they will of course be at risk of contracting tuberculosis. Or they may travel, or live abroad some day.
I think we should be very thankful for the medical advances that have led us to the point we are currently at. In our grandparents generation people were often crippled for life by polio, killed by tuberculosis, damaged or killed by measles. Thankfully these things are rare nowadays. This is all down to vaccination.

This is a good website.
cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-questions/cervical-cancer-vaccine#sfx
I too am very worried about potential side effects, it being a relatively new vaccine etc; but I am also very keen to prevent HPV infection as it is such a big deal when it comes to cervical cancer. Yes safe sex is important, but you can't practice safe sex forever - if you want to conceive you'll have to stop using condoms sometime. And I read you can still get HPV even when using condoms, although the chances are less, because there's still still genital contact when your bits are rubbing together! My daughter only has to have sex once, with someone who doesn't know they have it, to get infected. But I still get concerned about the newness of the vaccine. My daughter is keen to have it, and ultimately the choice is hers; especially as the form says they don't need parental permission to go ahead if they feel she has the capacity to make the decision for herself.

I still want to know the possible long term side effects for the HPV vaccine. I certainly don't just trust the medically trained and accept that it must be safe because it just might not be.

BCG isn't routinely given through schools in the UK anymore.

factsheet

I'm going to leave my daughters to decide for themselves when they are old enough to make that decision. In the meantime, I will not give consent when they are 12/13.

Side effects from the NHS website:

Very common side effects

Very common side effects of the HPV vaccine include:

* pain at the injection site
* redness or swelling at the injection site
* headaches
* muscle pain
* tiredness

These side effects occur in around 10%?15% of vaccine doses.

Common side effects

Common side effects of the HPV vaccine include:

* nausea (feeling sick)
* vomiting
* diarrhoea
* abdominal (tummy) pain
* itchy skin
* a red skin rash
* hives (urticaria ? an itchy, red rash)
* joint pain
* a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or over

These side effects occur in less than 10% of vaccine doses.

Uncommon side effects

Uncommon side effects of the HPV vaccine include:

* upper respiratory tract infection (infection of the nose, throat or windpipe)
* dizziness
* other reactions at the injection site, such as a hard lump, tingling or numbness

These side effects occur in less than 1% of vaccine doses.

Very rare side effects

It is not possible to reliably estimate how frequently other side effects may occur. This is because the information about them is received from people reporting the side effects themselves, rather than in controlled, clinical tests.

In very rare cases, it is possible for someone who has had the HPV vaccine to experience a more severe allergic reaction, known as an anaphylactic reaction (anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock). Signs of an anaphylactic reaction include:

* breathing difficulties and wheezing
* swollen eyes, lips, genitals, hands, feet and other areas (this is called angioedema)
* itching
* a strange metallic taste in the mouth
* sore, red, itchy eyes
* changes in heart rate
* loss of consciousness

Severe reactions like this are very rare. From April 2008 to July 2010, there were 41 anaphylactic reactions reported to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA ? the medicines safety watchdog). Out of four million doses given from September 2008 to July 2010, that makes such reactions very unlikely.

If a severe allergic reaction does occur immediately, the healthcare professional who is giving the vaccine will be fully trained in how to deal with it.

Omnium - most 12 year olds are competent to consent for themselves.

Omnium - and if you leave it til they are 16-18 chances are they will already have had sex, contracted HPV and so vaccination would be pointless?

I think also that one of the reasons that it is given to girls only (at this point) is that the first vaccine developed against HPV was developed for women. There is now a second vaccine, which protects against slightly different strains of HPV that has also been developed for males. Off to find useful link...

HPV VACCINE OVERVIEW ? Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that causes cervical cancer and genital warts. Persistent infection with certain types of HPV can lead to cancer of the cervix, which affects more than 10,000 American women every year. HPV can also cause cancers of the vulva, vagina, and anus, although these cancers are much less common than cervical cancer.

Two vaccines (Gardasil® and Cervarix®) are available to prevent infection with several types of HPV known to cause cervical cancer. It is hoped that these vaccines will significantly reduce the number of women who develop cervical cancer and pre-cancer.

WHAT IS HPV? ? Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that is spread by skin-to-skin contact, including sexual intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, or any other contact involving the genital area (eg, hand to genital contact). Condoms do not provide complete protection from HPV infection because condoms do not cover all exposed genital skin. People do not become infected with HPV by touching an object, such as a toilet seat.

The risk of HPV exposure increases with the number of sexual partners you have and the number of partners your partner has. It has been estimated that 75 to 80 percent of sexually active adults will acquire HPV infection before the age of 50. A majority of women and men become infected with HPV for the first time between ages 15 and 25 years. Most people who are infected with HPV have no signs or symptoms and clear the infection within two years, often without treatment.

In 10 to 20 percent of people, however, the infection persists. In this situation, there is a greater chance of developing cervical pre-cancer and then cancer. However, it usually takes at least 20 years for HPV infection to cause cervical cancer. Thus, regular testing is important in detecting cervical abnormalities early, before cancer develops. (See "Patient information: Cervical cancer screening".)

Over 100 different types of HPV have been identified; 40 of these are known to infect the cervix and 15 are known to cause cervical cancer. Researchers have labeled the HPV types as being high or low risk for causing cervical cancer.

HPV types 6 and 11 can cause about 90 percent of genital warts. These types are low-risk because they do not cause cervical cancer. (See "Patient information: Genital warts in women".)

Types 16 and 18 are the high-risk types that cause most (about 70 percent) cases of cervical cancer. HPV types 45 and 31 are also high-risk types, causing about 5 to 10 percent of cervical cancers.

There are two HPV vaccines available. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine which vaccine is best for you.

One HPV vaccine (Gardasil®) helps to prevent infection with four HPV types (6, 11, 16, and 18)

The other vaccine (Cervarix®) prevents infection with HPV types 16 and 18, and it may offer some protection against HPV types 45 and 31.

HPV VACCINE TIMING AND DOSE ? Gardasil® is given by injection and requires three doses; the first injection is followed by a second and third dose two and six months later, respectively.

Cervarix® is also given by injection and requires three doses, although the schedule is slightly different than with Gardasil; the first injection is followed by a second and third dose one and six months later, respectively.

It is not clear if the vaccine is effective if fewer than three doses are given.

Who should be vaccinated? ? In the United States, HPV vaccination is recommended for all girls and women who are between ages 9 and 26 years.

With both vaccines, you will have the greatest protection from HPV if you are vaccinated BEFORE becoming sexually active. The vaccine does not help to get rid of HPV infection after it has occurred. However, if you are less than 26 years old and you have been sexually active, had genital warts, a positive HPV test, or an abnormal Pap smear, you may still obtain some benefit from the HPV vaccine.

How long will you be protected for? ? Scientists do not know exactly how long the vaccine protects against HPV infection. Clinical trials show that it provides protection for at least five years.

Neither vaccines contain mercury
The vaccines efficacy have been extensively trailed and I can give you the links if you want to look at the studies

The vaccines manufactures have reported the following incidents of adverse effects

10%:

Central nervous system: Headache (12% to 28%), fever (8% to 13%)

Local: Injection site: Pain (61% to 84%), erythema (17% to 25%), swelling (14% to 25%)

1% to 10%:

Central nervous system: Dizziness (1% to 4%), malaise (1%), insomnia (1%)

Gastrointestinal: Nausea (2% to 7%), diarrhea (3% to 4%), vomiting (1% to 2%), toothache (2%)

Local: Injection site: Bruising (3%), pruritus (3%), hematoma (1%)

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Arthralgia (1%), myalgia (≤1%)

Respiratory: Pharyngolaryngeal pain (3%), cough (2%), nasal congestion (1%)

I found this report interesting. From 2009 and mostly about Gardasil but still adds to my lack of conviction at this point of the benefits.
I have read some disconcerting reports which have left me feeling uneasy about this vaccine at this point. Mainly googled which isn't always a good thing. I would love for this to be the preventative that it claims to be but I'm not wholly convinced just yet.

Something is lost with all this "prevention" exercise and vaccination; gearing up our children to be sexual beings;.
The word "NO".is pretty good in stopping all diseases.
I used it. I'm hoping that I've invested my DD with Common sense; and if she embarks on a sexual life. A Condom.
My Daughter is only 12 years old.
I still can't make my mind up.

Do you expect your daughter to never have sex though? At some point she will presumably, maybe with a condom, maybe in a LTR without, maybe she'll want to have a baby some time.

I don't see how a vaccination turns children into sexual beings, that seems an odd argument. Do you think 12 year old girls are suddenly going to go out and have sex because they have had this vaccination?

FUTURE II Study Group. Quadrivalent vaccine against human papillomavirus to prevent high-grade cervical lesions. N Engl J Med 2007; 356:1915.

Garland SM, Hernandez-Avila M, Wheeler CM, et al. Quadrivalent vaccine against human papillomavirus to prevent anogenital diseases. N Engl J Med 2007; 356:1928.

These studies are both double blinded RCTs that clearly demonstrate the efficacy of Gardasil vaccines
(particularly for the prevention of HPV 6, 11 which cause 90% of genital warts)

I would read the studies before you choice to follow someone else's take on it.

Advances in prevention of cervical cancer and other human papillomavirus-related diseases. AUFrazer IH, Cox JT, Mayeaux EJ Jr, Franco EL, Moscicki AB, Palefsky JM, Ferris DG, Ferenczy AS, Villa LL (Pediatr Infect Dis J). 2006;25(65.)

This paper demonstrates a good safety record for both vaccines

The following information has been reported

Adverse events following Gardisil HPV vaccine were compared to background rates following other immunizations.

From June 1, 2006 to December 31, 2008, VAERS received 12,424 reports of adverse events following HPV immunization; a total of 772 reports (6 percent) were serious events, including 32 reports of death; it was concluded that HPV vaccination was unlikely to be the cause.

Most of the adverse events rates were not greater than those reported with other vaccines, with the exception of syncope and venous thromboembolic events. Among the 1896 syncopal reports, 15 percent resulted in a fall or injury.

Among the 31 patients with thromboembolism, 28 (90 percent) had a known risk factor (for example, estrogen-containing birth control pills or a family history of clotting disorder).

There were 4 deaths reported among the 19 pulmonary embolism cases. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) was the only adverse event to meet the CDC screening criteria for "signal detection" and is being closely monitored.

There was no increased risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome compared with other vaccines in similar age groups.

There were two documented reports of young females who presented with a rapidly progressing neurologic disorder occurring some months after receipt of HPV vaccine. Autopsy confirmed a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in one case; the other autopsy was reported as "pending".

Hope this helps and is not too confusing

HPV can be contracted though non penetrative sexual acts. Simply touching the area with a hand infected by the virus can pass it on.
Additionally, condoms will not prevent HPV. Any skin contact can cause infection

But you can invest your daughter with all the self respect, education and safe sex teaching you can, and she could still contract HPV - it may not be until she's 25 and in a stable relationship or married or trying to conceive and so not using condoms.

I used to give HPV vaccine to girls and I did not come across one single girl who thought having the vaccine gave them a green light to get sexually active.

Omnium - she may be able to decide for herself at 12 or 13 if she would like the vaccine - my daughter did. She can't give consent really without my consent but I respect her opinion; she's a mature and sensible nearly-13 year old and we talked at length about the pros and cons.

Wow is that true it only gives protection for 5 years? Do people know this? I thought it was a one off protection.

Do people have to get re done every 5 or so years?!?!?! If you get it done at 12/13 that means at 17/18 you could lose the protection? Or that it hasn't been around long enough to know how long it lasts or what long term effects it has!

What use is that?

I know you don't like to think about it now but your daughter will want to have sex one day and will not want to use condoms forever.
I think it is important that girls are taught that they are not being given this vaccine so they can go ahead and have unsafe sex and that they still do need to use condoms to protect against chlamydia/hiv/unwanted pregnancy and should be taught to value their sexual health and also to not have sex until they are ready. They need to know that unsafe sex is still dangerous, but nobody is going to be using condoms forever.

"Omnium - and if you leave it til they are 16-18 chances are they will already have had sex, contracted HPV and so vaccination would be pointless?"

Yes, and they might not. I resent the assumption that they will necessarily be sexually active before they are 16. If they are, I hope I will be aware of it - in which case, I might well give consent to the vaccine. But I object strongly to giving it to them at 12/13 when they might barely have started their periods, never mind had sex.

It's not a green light that bothers me. It's the vaccination; and the possible side effects.
I feel the same way as I did with the MMR. I went through hell at the time trying to decide (i decided on it, 1999).
But now my DD is older; and it's her choice as well as mine. She's 12.

I can tell her about cervical cancer.
I can tell her about the risk of sex and transmission.
But I don't particularly want to do so; but at the same time. I absolutely have to include her (Age 12) in this decision.

Why don't you want to have an informed discussion with your daughter about this? It is her body and she should have a say. Also at 12 years old, you and her should be able to talk through the leaflet. If she doesn't want it yet and you are dead set against it she can have it later on. But you should be able to have a discussion with her on this subject. Talking about sex does not make kids go out and do it.

xales
It gives guaranteed protection for 5 years. This does not necessarily mean that it wont protect following that. There is a good reason for this number. Essentially, the study that followed up the women vaccinated started in 2006 therefor they can only check immunity a year at a time. (These women have had their immunity checked for the last 5 years)

It is anticipated that it should protect for over 15 years if not longer, but data will be released as the study continues. Follow up plans will be put in place dependant on this

The reason that the vaccine is given soo young is that it is useless after any kind of sexual activity with anyone who has the virus.
Therefor catching girls before they become sexually active seems reasonable.
AnnWiddy, I hope the info I have posted with allow you to make a more informed decision re the safety and side effects of the two type of vaccine avaliable