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What Age Is Too Young For STD Prevention?Girls as young as 11 years old are encouraged to receive a vaccine that prevents HPV. Some parents are concerned that middle school-aged children are too young, but state health officials disagree.Related Content
Protect your daughters—that's the message from Alaska health officials to parents.
Health officials say it is crucial to stop the human papilloma virus, a sexually transmitted disease more commonly known as HPV, which can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. But the problem for some is the age at which girls are recommended to receive this vaccine—around age 11, before girls become sexually active. If the vaccine is admitted before this time, the vaccine “can prevent almost 100 percent of cervical cancer,” according to Dr. Matt Hirschfeld, a pediatrician with Southcentral Foundation. “We have the opportunity to prevent a whole generation of youth from getting cervical cancer,” said Gerri Yett, immunization program manager for the State of Alaska. And according to Alaska's health professionals, HPV prevention starts with the vaccine, which involves three shots administered over the course of six months. “Essentially you can't get cervical cancer without getting HPV first,” said Hirschfeld. And even though most parents don't want to imagine their daughters engaging in sex at such a young age, health officials say that early vaccination ensures they can be protected. “It may be many, many years before some girls become sexually active,” said Yett, “but as we know we are all individuals and so there is no set age where you are going to expect that and this is the opportunity to get young girls long before that.” And the topic of just what age is too young for this kind of vaccination was a hot topic amongst Alaska residents on the KTVA Channel 11 News Facebook page. Stacy Byas said: “Children can be assaulted at any age and 11 is certainly not too early.” Leanna Matthews wrote: “So should this girl be put on birth control too in case she is raped?" Lynn Witte posted: “It’s about protection for her family saying if she gets the vaccine before she is sexually active, obviously at that point she's not been exposed to it. I know I plan to have my daughter to get the vaccine and it's not about money, it's about helping to save lives.” Yett called the vaccine a “good investment” for parents. Doctors say the chances of halting cervical cancer is only 50 percent if administered after an individual engages in sex. Places like Southcentral Foundation and the state offer the vaccine free to the uninsured, those on Medicaid and children who qualify as Alaska Native or Indian. It is also available at private clinics, but it can be expensive ranging from $150 to $200 per dose. Men can get HPV, too, which can cause throat, penile, and anal cancer. Ask your physician about being tested, as symptoms may not be apparent. |
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jjj said on Monday, Sep 5 at 1:55 PM
THATS NOT TRUE!! The medical tyranny we have in this country does not want you healthy! There is NO profit if you are healthy. VACCINES KILL, and do great harm to innocent children. check out INFOWARS for the real story! SEE FOR YOURSELF!
73412379Rob and Kusko the Immunization Dog said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 6:21 PM
Folks that scream "please do your research on all the teenager girls who have died after receiving this vaccine." Should actually do the research. I have done it- and some of the connections are incredible- for instance: a young lady receives Gardasil and dies in auto accident within 24 hours- they call that a link. Girl with history of seizure disorder has seizure and aspirates and dies- but had the HPV shot that day- they call it a link. Gardasil has been used for years and I will admit- there is a risk- about the same risk with any other immunization or medication. Can you have a reaction? Yes! Can you die? Again, yes. But you can also die from too much oxygen, from too much water or just from a bee sting. Allergies happen and reactions happen- but the possibility of preventing cervical cancer far outweighs any potential risk. Parents- be smart- immunize on time!
73157222jjj said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 6:06 PM
VACCINATIONS KILL!!! Do your research, look it up yourself! These shots do far more harm than good. You would be wrong to give YOUR kids anything without being informed! Don't rely on the main stream media for the truth, spend a few minutes researching, you won't believe what your about to see!
73156487Concerned Mom said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 3:55 PM
Parents also need to remember that boys can be vaccinated against HPV also. All my children are vaccinated, even my boys.My pediatrician recommended it for my boys. That way my boys cannot contract HPV and then pass it to their girlfriends. Why only vaccinate half the population?
73150981smwilson said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 2:54 PM
It only takes one time for someone to contract HPV. Why not vaccinate before they become sexually active that way they are protected long before they even start to think about sex. When my daughter is old enough best believe she will be getting that vaccine.
73148182good parents said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 2:29 PM
My son and daughter were vaccinated because after only a couple of sex partners/boyfriends their big sister is HPV positive. When I asked her if she'd want them vaccinated....she yelled, "YES!" She has to worry about outbreaks, and telling boyfriends, and cervical cancer possibility all her life and regrets her predicament and doesn't want anyone else to suffer in her family. I recommend the vaccine, and so does she!
73147178Concerned Mom said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 1:33 PM
As a parent, I don't want my children to be having sex until they are adults and old enough to understand the physical and emotional responsibilities of this action. As a fallible human I understand all to well that "you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot force the horse to drink" That said, Yes please be aware that children are having sex at that age. My daughters personally go to school with teenage moms. Both of the teenage moms that my daughters are friends with had their babies when they were 14 and while they were both in middle school. The father of one of the babies just started high school this year. I had to sit down with my children and have a very deep conversation about sex, babies and how it is not as "cool" as they think these girls are. I personally think that shows like 'Pregnant &16' have a lot to do with making sex and babies glamorous. Same with all the publicity Bristol got when she became a teenage mom.
73144432Michelle said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 11:39 AM
Before ya'll go flocking willy-nilly to the doctor to get yet more vaccinations, please do your research on all the teenager girls who have died after receiving this vaccine.
73138357myrna said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 11:00 AM
If state health official wants to promote this vaccine then let them give it to their children and all of their relatives. There has been many severe side effects associated with this vaccine along with HBV. But they never tell you this truth. Many of these vaccines has damaging chemicals such as Formaldehyde and aluminium. Perhaps we need to ask our selves why are these health officials advocating the poisening of our children.
73136102Mr. X said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 10:17 AM
Of course that age is too young for being sexually active! But the vaccine itself is only effective on women at that young age. Just because they get the vaccine don't mean they're going to become sexually active, just will protect them from cancer-causing viruses. Let other men not care if their daughters get cancer, I'm going to protect mine.
73133679Potts said on Tuesday, Aug 30 at 9:16 AM
Kids are sexually active at young ages these days. It's important that we ditch the silly "chastity" thing, and encourage these kids to be safe. I think safe sex and vaccinations should be taught around 11 or so.
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