The twins’ 11 year well-check is on the calendar this week, and they are dreading it. Their pal Jackson told them they have to get SHOTS this time, and aside from the flu shot, it’s been a while since they have been vaccinated against anything. They dread this for weeks and weeks, even though they know in their heads that it’s over in a second and I will likely be so upset by their trauma drama that I will take them for a donut or something after. Incidentally, as traumatized as they are by shots, they are totally entertained by having to pee in a cup – boy humor at its finest for sure.
But yes, we vaccinate our kids. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. Whenever I’ve had a question about it, I’ve just asked my trusted pediatrician about what decisions she made for her own children – and there’s also this place called the internet where I get a lot of info about vaccines as well, as long as it’s a legit source like KidsHealth or HealthyDelaware.org/HPVPrevention.
And that includes the HPV vaccine.
First of all, just because it’s new-ish on the market doesn’t mean it hasn’t been hugely tested and through every step in the FDA process. We the people are nothing if not regulated in that department.
Secondly, the HPV vaccine is for both BOYS and GIRLS ages 11 and 12. Yes, it protects against the main cause of cervical cancer and no my boys do not have a cervix, but it is important to keep my boys healthy and protected. Boys AND girls ages 11 and 12 should get two shots of HPV vaccine six to 12 months apart. Adolescents who receive their two shots less than five months apart will require a third dose of HPV vaccine.
Third – it’s proven to prevent cancer. PREVENT CANCER.
I didn’t need more info than that.
The CDC recommends it + my pediatrician recommends it + it’s proven to prevent certain types of cancer = no brainer.