“I only want the shots required by school.”
While schools’ requirements do help keep dangerous diseases from spreading, they do not always reflect the most up-to-date medical recommendations. Experts from the CDC, AAP, American Cancer Society, and other major medical organizations recommend the vaccine for all children. Gardasil is a required vaccine for schools in Virginia, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C.
“Gardasil is a new vaccine. Is the vaccine safe?”
Yes, Gardasil is a well-studied vaccine and it is safe. The most common side effects from Gardasil are the same side effects we talk about with the shots your child received when they were younger; mild pain, redness and swelling at the site of the injection. No studies show Gardasil causes autoimmune disorders.
“Will the vaccine affect my child’s ability to have children in the future?”
No, there are no studies that show the vaccine affects fertility. HPV, however, can cause a woman to have an abnormal pap smear. This requires further testing by a gynecologist which can make pregnancies more difficult in the future. Preventing HPV infections helps protect fertility.
We know that cancer rates caused by HPV are decreasing world-wide because of vaccination, and want your children to be protected. If you have questions, please ask us at your child’s check-up! Here are some resources if you would like to do more research on your own.
CDC: www.cdc.gov/hpv
