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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

HPV vaccine, don't know what to do!

203 replies

Busymummy50 · 23/03/2021 23:47

Before a few days ago, only knew hpv vaccine was for girls. 13 year old brought home a consent letter last Friday. Vaccination takes place 29th at school.

Initially I thought it was a good idea. I had a smear which came back with hpv found and then had a biopsy years ago. Luckily I was ok and my immune system fought it off. So I knew all about it.

Then I looked into possible side effects and asked other parents (as boys have only been offer this since 2018, so not long). Friends sons have already had it and my son's friends at school are going to have it. But the more I've researched, the more serious side effects I'm finding. I know these have not been proven but I cannot help to worry.

I have consented but having second thoughts. My partner on the other hand is happy for the vaccine to go ahead despite my findings but is also happy is our son doesn't have the vaccine as most of the time our bodies would fight it off.

I just don't know what to do! Has anyone's child had it and had side effects or chosen not to have it and why? Does anyone have more information on these serious side effects?

OP posts:

Runway · 25/03/2021 19:59

@bruffin indeed, a lot of false information regarding HPV vaccine has come from the far right, religious portion of the US who think it encourages teenagers to have sex. Indeed one of the films they made about how ‘dangerous’ the vaccine was was called ‘sacrificial virgins’ which probably tells you all you need to know about the level of accuracy (and sanity). @Busymummy50 as I say, you never know the agenda of internet randoms.

Umbivalent · 25/03/2021 20:00

My DD had it. No side effects.

Original poster

Busymummy50 · 25/03/2021 20:12

Thank you all! I shall listen to the podcast and watch the video mentioned later.

OP posts:

Original poster

Busymummy50 · 25/03/2021 20:13

@Sweettea1

It's been around for girls but not boys. It's recent for boys couple of years.

In the uk, since 2019. US longer.

OP posts:

DenisetheMenace · 25/03/2021 20:14

We paid to have our son vaccinated (wasn’t available from the NHS to his age group then ).

No I’ll effects

Our daughter was in the first cohort to have it done (at school).

DenisetheMenace · 25/03/2021 20:15

ill

Fuckityfucksake · 25/03/2021 20:17

It's best given before there's any sexual activity whatsoever. I also remember reading that it's also to with their immune response at that age too.
It can transmit via hands, skin, orally, along with penetrative sex. Condoms don't stop it. Nothing will except absolute abstinence (and later hopefully mass immunity)
The types the vaccine protects from are the high risk strains, the cancer causing ones - there's 40 or so sexually transmitted types of HPV and some 13 of those can cause cancer just to the cervix, not to mention the others that can cause penile, vaginal, anus, head and neck ones too.
The odds are so shit that you couldn't dodge even a minimum of 13 out of 40 so it's really important to prevent getting it as soon as possible.
Late teens and early 20's/ up to 25 when libido's are in full swing (and many young'uns shag like rabbits!) the chance of you getting a baddie is probably fairly high.
Remember I said there's not enough information...
Here lies the next issue. So we are told you can catch HPV, it'll do it's thing and then within 2 years it will leave and all will be well it will go away. Yes that may be the case for some people and particularly with the low risk types however not everyone can clear it. There was also a study done that said in some women the hpv never cleared! They believed that it simply quietened down to an active low level (which would make sense in my case as I've clearly had hpv since my late teens but it can't be proved as it wasn't tested for)
There's so so much more to learn.
Also the it takes years to turn into cancer.
Ordinarily and statistically yes!
My diagnosis came 12 MONTHS after I'd had treatment to remove Cin 2
CIN, for anyone that doesn't know, is used to rate the severity of the cell damage so mine was medium level at that point. I had it removed and further biopsies came back clear as they had multiple times before throughout my life - all good! Except 12 months later I had cancer!
I know I am not the norm but it can and does happen - more than you'd think.
Sorry rambled again, but earlier protection is much better.

Milkshake7489 · 25/03/2021 20:22

What qualifications do you have that make you think you have the correct knowledge to research and understand the benefits vs risks of vaccines?

If your education wouldn't get you a job in this field, listen to the experts and consent.

Ffsffsffsffsffs · 25/03/2021 20:22

@Busymummy50 you said yourself, in one of your very first posts Although none have which been proven to be caused by HPV

You know the research shows that the risks are miniscule. I tested positive for hpv on my last smear, and in a panic I called the STI/GUM clinic for advice, to be told that 80% of people will be contract hpv at some point in their lives. 80%. Some of these will unfortunately go on to develop into cancers, which as PPs have shown, can be life-changing at best, and can result in a very horrible death.

Please, please give your ds the vaccine.

catsandchaos · 25/03/2021 20:28

Is this routinely administered to boys in school and if yes, which year group ?

alexdgr8 · 25/03/2021 20:33

you read on nhs website that it didn't cause those syndromes, but instead of being reassured by that you then went and looked up those syndromes in relation to this vaccine.
so you were bound to find the ill-informed and anti-vaxxer people.
don't be swayed by them.
why would the govt risk large-scale coverage if there were real risks of serious side-effects. they wouldn't want to be sued , would they.
please give your child the bet chance for keeping healthy, and anyone he consorts with in the future.

things go around. it is a community issue too.

Fuckityfucksake · 25/03/2021 20:41

@catsandchaos

Is this routinely administered to boys in school and if yes, which year group ?

It is in England now yes. Year 8 I believe (12 to 13 year olds) is the first dose.

AnaofBroceliande · 25/03/2021 20:50

@Milkshake7489

What qualifications do you have that make you think you have the correct knowledge to research and understand the benefits vs risks of vaccines?

If your education wouldn't get you a job in this field, listen to the experts and consent.

Why on Earth should anyone 'consent' to something they don't want on or in their body?

They don't need to give a reason.

Original poster

Busymummy50 · 25/03/2021 20:52

@catsandchaos

Is this routinely administered to boys in school and if yes, which year group ?

It has since last year. They give it to boys and girls in Year 8. 2 doses. Our school gives 2nd dose in Year 9

OP posts:

catsandchaos · 25/03/2021 21:04

So if a child is now in year 10 does that mean they won't get the vaccine?

Original poster

Busymummy50 · 25/03/2021 21:05

@Milkshake7489

What qualifications do you have that make you think you have the correct knowledge to research and understand the benefits vs risks of vaccines?

If your education wouldn't get you a job in this field, listen to the experts and consent.

I do not think I have the correct knowledge to research and understand the benefits vs risks. I do not have the qualifications either but i have the right to research and look into things before I make decisions. Even though my education wouldn't get me a job in this field, that does not mean I HAVE to consent because I have been told by an expert!

OP posts:

Suzi888 · 25/03/2021 21:10

I’d definitely get it done.

Runway · 25/03/2021 21:11

So....you admit you don’t have the understanding to do the research but that doesn’t stop you from doing the research....which means you’re reading random rubbish and then bringing it to other people’s attention whilst you wring your hands. Bravo

FontyMcFontface · 25/03/2021 21:14

DS had it with no ill effects. It also protects against genital cancers in boys as well as limiting spread.

Milkshake7489 · 25/03/2021 21:26

@Busymummy50

No, you're right. You don't have to consent. But you started a thread looking for advice. My advice is, since you don't have the scientific knowledge to research the topic properly you run the risk of falling down pseudoscience rabbitholes that could put your son at risk. Therefore I believe you should follow the advice of people who do have the relevant credentials and consent.

Vaccines are too important to risk missing because you, for example, misinterpreted some data or accidentally took a fundamental religious groups propaganda as scientific fact.

TJ17 · 25/03/2021 21:32

You keep saying "look into things" but you aren't looking anywhere credible this is the point 🤦🏼‍♀️🙄

You admit you aren't qualified but you also think you'll find credible information via Google 🙄

You won't find what you're looking for...

Original poster

Busymummy50 · 25/03/2021 21:34

@Runway

So if I don't understand something, then I shouldn't learn it?? I didn't know about hpv virus until I had it, once I had it, I researched and learned what I can about it! Don't we all do this most of our lives? So I should give up finding out more about something before I make decisions just because it's not my area of expertise and an expert tells me to consent?? How do you know that it's all random rubbish? Because it's not written by an expert? Wjat happens when there is an expert contradicting another expert? That happens sometimes! Who do you listen to then?

OP posts:

Umbivalent · 25/03/2021 21:34

Why not also look up the side effects of genital warts and throat cancer!

bytheby · 25/03/2021 21:38

Having HPV and the constant threat of cancer is one of the worst things to happen to me. I have had many close shaves and am unable to have more children.
Please please please get your child vaccinated so they don't end up like me.

Original poster

Busymummy50 · 25/03/2021 21:40

@TJ17

You keep saying "look into things" but you aren't looking anywhere credible this is the point 🤦🏼‍♀️🙄

You admit you aren't qualified but you also think you'll find credible information via Google 🙄

You won't find what you're looking for...

Just so you know, I have looked at ALL information and not just random rubbish. I have taken into account everything, good and bad. I have signed my son's consent form and it has been handed in. I am scared. So I came on here for support. Hearing from other parents, if there were any side effects, been given links to watch or websites to check out just helps get my head around it all. I cannot believe some of the responses on here! I am appalled by being made to feel stupid. We are all grown adults here, most are parents and at times it feels like a school playground with bullies !

Please, don't waste your time replying if you are here to have a moan at me.

OP posts:

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