Should My Tween Daughter Get the Gardasil Vaccine?

(and the new twist: what about my son?)

Q) Dear Dr. Gwenn:

I have a ten year old daughter.   What are your thoughts about Gardasil- HPV vaccine?  Are you recommending for your pre-teens?

Thanks.

MR, Lindenhurst, IL

A) Dear MR:

Gardasil is a vaccine that targetst Human Papillomavirus or HPV.  HPV is the major culptrit in cervical cancer in women and  can go undetected for years because it often does not have symptoms. It can also contribute to other problems such as infertility. The virus is sexually transmitted.

The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends girls get this vaccine before they become sexually active, at the 11-12 year old visit. Why this age? To intervene and protect them before their hormones cause them to potentially get themselves into trouble. While it is important to talk to teens about safe sex their developmental mindset is very impulsive so leaving this to education alone is not enough protection. Studies have also shown that the virus works best if girls have not already gotten one of the HPV subtypes associated with cervical cancer.

The vaccine is safe and has few side effects beyond the expected discomfort. I think it is a good idea and we're planning on immunizing both our girls when they hit the magic age.

Here are some links to more information:

CDC Gardasil and HPV Information

Best,

Dr. Gwenn

Of course, the next obvious question, which many of you asked, is this:

Should boys get Gardasil?

HVP is sexually transmitted and causes genital warts in males, who can then spread the virus to females. The more protection we give to everyone the more healthy are young adult population will be as they grow up.  Unfortunately, we don't know yet if Gardasil is effective in males but studies are underway. So, stay tuned. This is clearly not the end of the HPV story - and perhaps only the very tip of the beginning.

Until then, talk to your tween and teen boys openly about sexually transmitted the diseases. Short of abstinence, the only other way for them to stay protected is to practice safe sex. Here's some links to useful information:

Teen info on genital warts

Teen Info on talking to partners about safe sex

For parents: talking to kids about sex