HPV vaccine, don't know what to do!

[Busymummy50]

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?

I am in ireland. All my children have had the vaccine. I researched it too. The % claiming side effects is significantly smaller than the % expected to get cancer from HPV (throat, tongue, cervical, penile etc) so I got them vaccinated. If they got HPV later in life I would be very unhappy.

It is absolutely insane you would tell you son anything other than what is clearly stated on the NHS website. My children will be learning about the importance of vaccines and how they save so many people from horrible illnesses and unnecessary deaths.

Also insane that you are thanking those posters who feed you anti-vaxx drivel and yet you are arguing with everyone trying to explain to you how science works.

Jesus. People on here are so vile. The poor lady is clearly worried for her child and looking to make an informed decision - as should anyone considering any vaccination. Calling her stupid isn't going to help.

Here's the thing: all medicines including vaccines have side effects. You need to consider the individual risk benefit. To want to make an informed judgement is not "stupid", it's good parenting.

FWIW in my view, for a teenager, the risk of HPV infection and consequent development of cancer (which in itself can be fatal) is considerably higher than the very rare serious effects of the vaccine. That is what most regulators around the world will tell you. I have had my daughter have her first jab and second in a few weeks. I will admit I worried a bit about it but I read as much as I could find on it and reassured myself. The US package inserts have the best data easily available and clearly laid out. Far more informative than the UK.

https://www.merck.com/product/usa/picirculars/g/gardasil/gardasill_pi.pdf

Posting anonymously

Please have a look at this first. Also check the VAERS data which you can access online. The data shows many life threatening side effects, deaths and permanent disabilities linked to the vaccine.

vaers.hhs.gov

sanevax.org/uk-association-of-hpv-vaccine-injured-daughters-ahvid/

The trial itself is troubling as all participants were offered the vaccine after the trial had finished so outcomes and occurrences of HPV (vaccinated versus unvaccinated) cannot be compared.

Op you are obviously an anti Vaxxer because someone who believed in vaccines would have just consented.

Just because people think that the vaccine caused problems doesnt mean it actually needs that it does, parents need something or some one to blame. Sanevax is a antivax website and hardly credible when they are offering homeopathic remedies and quotes Viera Schreibner

Anyone can report anything on vaers and they investigated deaths etc and there was no causation.

The trial itself is troubling as all participants were offered the vaccine after the trial had finished so outcomes and occurrences of HPV (vaccinated versus unvaccinated) cannot be compared.
this doesnt make sense at all.

@switchname111

Posting anonymously

Please have a look at this first. Also check the VAERS data which you can access online. The data shows many life threatening side effects, deaths and permanent disabilities linked to the vaccine.

vaers.hhs.gov

sanevax.org/uk-association-of-hpv-vaccine-injured-daughters-ahvid/

The trial itself is troubling as all participants were offered the vaccine after the trial had finished so outcomes and occurrences of HPV (vaccinated versus unvaccinated) cannot be compared.

Too late, she’s consented.

A friend of mine had serious side effects from the vaccine. She still encourages people to have it

Another friend of mine has throat cancer from HPV. It has been horrific!

Where did you get the information from that I gave him bad info from internet? I stated previously that I have looked at ALL information. Looking on Google included looking at the NHS website for info and on there, it clearly lists side effects which are possible. This is the bad info I gave my son which I think if he was to be injected, he needs to know the possible side effects etc. I believe with being open with my children within reason. So am I a good parent to tell my child to get a vaccination, that it's good for him and that's it???? I've also given him the information about HPV, the effects, what it could do.

I stated right at the start that I have consented. I was worried though of things I've seen online. All I came here for was for support from people who may have felt similar before. Or to hear if any kids have had side effects and what they were. This could help with preparing me what to expect. Yes trhe experts may have the information and completed studies etc but parents have experience they can share! My son was a fussy eater when he was little, it helped hearing other parents in similar situations who may have tips. I remember going to see a midwife every few weeks to have my son weighed, and they made me feel terrible that he wasn't putting the desirable amount of weight on, I used to come out crying. These were the experts. When I had my second child, I took her to be weighed just twice. I didn't listen to the midwives and I knew from experience and support from family and other parents that as long as they are feeding and growing, they at fine. In this case, I am just worried. I know the experts have information but hearing from parents and others who have had experience is useful. So if anyone is here to tell me I'm a bad parent and assume they know exactly what I have told my son etc, please don't.

@snackmonster

It is absolutely insane you would tell you son anything other than what is clearly stated on the NHS website. My children will be learning about the importance of vaccines and how they save so many people from horrible illnesses and unnecessary deaths.

Also insane that you are thanking those posters who feed you anti-vaxx drivel and yet you are arguing with everyone trying to explain to you how science works.

As a matter of fact, I have thanked a lot of people on here who have shared their experiences with me and given me information. I have gone on to watch it read the links people have given to me on here. I actually don't know what the problem is, if you find it frustrating and want to have a dig at me, save your time and go elsewhere, I'm here for friendly and kind advice. And just to get it straight to you, I have spoken to my son about the importance of the vaccine. I have also read out everything on the NHS website which includes side effects on there. Why would I not do that? So just skip out the side effects? I am talking about the side effects on the NHS website!!!!!!

@Fluffycloudland77

Op you are obviously an anti Vaxxer because someone who believed in vaccines would have just consented.

If I was an anti-vaxer, how do you explain t hst both my kids have had every vaccine they have been offered since they were born??? Funny you seem to think you know me when you don't even know me! Assuming that I'm an anti-vaxer when I've clearly said I have consented but worried and asking for support on here

I didn't even come across senevax or read anything about this.

@Busymummy50

I didn't even come across senevax or read anything about this.

Senevax I meant. Haven't heard of it

@confuseddotcom090

Jesus. People on here are so vile. The poor lady is clearly worried for her child and looking to make an informed decision - as should anyone considering any vaccination. Calling her stupid isn't going to help.

Here's the thing: all medicines including vaccines have side effects. You need to consider the individual risk benefit. To want to make an informed judgement is not "stupid", it's good parenting.

FWIW in my view, for a teenager, the risk of HPV infection and consequent development of cancer (which in itself can be fatal) is considerably higher than the very rare serious effects of the vaccine. That is what most regulators around the world will tell you. I have had my daughter have her first jab and second in a few weeks. I will admit I worried a bit about it but I read as much as I could find on it and reassured myself. The US package inserts have the best data easily available and clearly laid out. Far more informative than the UK.

[[https://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi]]circulars/g/gardasil/gardasill_pi.pdf

Thank you so much for understanding. I do not understand why some people feel the need to be mean. Oh well. Thank you again, I agree not jumping into anything straight away but having a think through it and learning about it is good parenting.

Id have paid for my son to have it if they hadn't introduced it for boys.
My message seems pointless given the heartbreaking stories above, but it is So so so important and I'm so pleased they now vaccinate boys.

I remember seeing a program about the HPV vaccine and the possible fatigue syndrome side effect link, I believe the problem with the data came from the vaccine happening at a time when fatigue syndrome could have developed anyway. So its tricky to know if it was the vaccine that caused it, or unfortunate timing.

I was one of the first years to receive this back when I was in year 10/11 over ten years ago.

I would want my daughter to have it personally.

I meant to put or son

My dd had the HPV vaccine last week, she felt ropey for about 24 hours, tired and achy, but after that was absolutely fine. I'm glad she's been able to have the vaccine, long term it could be life-saving.

I'm sorry OP if I've made you upset. It is frustrating for me to see people putting their trust in anecdotal evidence/conspiracy theories and the like. Especially given the industry I work in and my background (I'm an information professional).

I think what we were all exasperated by here was that you continually put weight on the anecdotal evidence - when all you need to know is the information presented to you by official sources, like the NHS website. I do understand how difficult it is to ascertain the credibility of sources when you don't have a background in scientific research however.

Also - vaccinations are an incredibly sensitive topic. Many of us know someone who has experienced the how ruthless HPV can be, or have even experienced it ourselves. And there is always a small portion of people who cannot received vaccines because they are immunocompromised. Implying there's a chance you won't get your child vaccinated is a bit of a kick in the teeth for those people, who rely on the population being vaccinated against diseases for their own survival.

I agree with "consent" in almost all contexts - but here the boundaries are blurry. I believe everyone would consent to the vaccine if they were only presented with the truth. But there is so much misinformation out there it is easy to be swayed by some of it - and you can end up refusing consent because frankly, you don't understand the evidence and you have been misled.

What we are trying to say, OP, is that we understand being concerned for your child. But you are worrying over nothing. You are playing into your worries by listening to people who want nothing but to feed you information that isn't backed up by hard evidence, isn't peer-reviewed, and is most likely a load of bollocks.

I'm delighted you've given consent for your son to get the vaccine as it is absolutely the right thing to do.

@switchname111 from the very site you post....

Anyone can report side effects and adverse events. CDC and FDA maintain a vaccine safety monitoring system called the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). VAERS accepts reports from anyone, including doctors, patients, and parents. While VAERS provides useful information on vaccine safety, the data have limitations. It is generally not possible to use VAERS to determine whether a vaccine caused an adverse event

And indeed goes on to say specifically that the HPV vaccine is safe and there have been NO scientific research studies that have shown anything other than mild side effects.

www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/pdf/data-summary-hpv-gardasil-vaccine-is-safe.pdf

If you’re going to post anti-vax stuff at least read it to check it actually is.....

This is a question to those who are doctors, scientists, nurses or experts in this field....

Is it safe to have the hpv vaccine if a child has covid but no covid symptoms (since most kids don't show symptoms and unaware they have it). As with vaccines, correct me if I'm wrong but the information I have been told in the past by experts is that if a child is unwell or has a fever, they should wait until they are better to have the vaccine. As covid has not been around long enough, I am guessing it has not been studied, the effects of hpv vaccine while having covid?

@Busymummy50

This is a question to those who are doctors, scientists, nurses or experts in this field....

Is it safe to have the hpv vaccine if a child has covid but no covid symptoms (since most kids don't show symptoms and unaware they have it). As with vaccines, correct me if I'm wrong but the information I have been told in the past by experts is that if a child is unwell or has a fever, they should wait until they are better to have the vaccine. As covid has not been around long enough, I am guessing it has not been studied, the effects of hpv vaccine while having covid?

Given the testing of school children they shouldn’t be in school to have the vaccine with covid? If that concerns you, you could up the testing prior to the vaccine? I know last years cohort still had their second vaccine during lockdown, locally they had to go in for it

Do a lateral flow test on the day if you’re concerned

Honestly you are determined to find fault with the HPV vaccine, either vaccinate or don’t but the nhs doesn’t offer these vaccines for fun. There’s no huge cover up that your going to find by titting around on the Internet. There’s no bogeyman waiting for people who get vaccines.

My colleague was diagnosed with cervical cancer in her early 40’s. It was a horrible diagnosis for her and management were not expecting her back. That’s why their offering this vaccine. Cancer research says around 850 women a year die from this cancer & 140 penile cancer.

Their trying to prevent nearly 1000 people a year dying relatively young who haven’t taken any risks sexually the rest of us haven’t, you aren’t going to ask everyone you have sex to go and have a swab with the dr to screen for all sti before you have sex with them. Those people are just like you & I, they wouldn’t have chosen that way to die.

We would never have eradicated smallpox in this day and age with current anti vac rhetoric. We have to have 2 vaccines before they let you on my degree and none of us reported side effects because 24 years ago we didn’t know we were supposed to make a fuss about vaccines. I had a men C vaccine even though I technically didn’t need it just to be on the safe side. I have a flu jab every year with no side effects and I’ve had both my covid jabs.

Despite having 3 vaccine injections since October 5th I’m still alive.

A child could be ill but asymptomatic with diseases other than Covid when they have a jab, and no one would be any the wiser. Numbers are much lower, your child will be doing lateral flow tests, if they are ill on the day then obviously wait till they're better but if they aren't actually ill then there's no reason not to have it (not a professional opinion).

Otherwise you would have to cancel it for every child on the off chance they've got Covid, which isn't going to happen.