Thank you Michele Bachman (no really!)

[Kber]

Thanks the the recent controversy she has generated (manufactured?) around the HPV vaccine, I learned that the FDA has recommended that boys get vaccinated as well as girls. I called our pediatrician to ask if my 14 year old son had the vaccine yet and she confirmed that he did not, but agreed that it was a very good idea to do so. That way he won't carry a preventable illness to someone else.

So, thank you Michele! I hadn't realized that the guidelines for boys had changed but thanks to you, I know know better.

Sincerely,

kber

[TheWraith]

1. Good news! And someday your son's future girlfriends may thank you. :) nt

[RegieRocker]

5. Why would they thank him if they already have received the shot

themselves?

[TheWraith]

7. Not everyone has. That's the point of "herd immunity."

"Herd immunity" means that you vaccinate enough people that even those who don't receive the vaccine get the benefits.

If, say, 90% of the public gets vaccinated, then the other 10% has a vastly reduced chance of getting the virus that's being vaccinated for, because it can't propagate. That's how we got rid of polio in the US: we didn't have to vaccinate every single person, just enough people to prevent the virus from spreading through the unvaccinated, and eventually the virus in question usually dies off.

[RegieRocker]

9. Hmmm makes sense.

[qb]

2. B-B-B-But won't he now start having sex with everyone in sight because he doesn't have to worry

about STDs?
:sarcasm:

Sincere congratulations on being a responsible parent. :hi:

[demosincebirth]

3. Lucky kid.

[Kber]

4. He wishes!

Seriously, I don't want my potential daughter-in-law to get sick. Or anyone else for that matter.

[RegieRocker]

6. Make sure as stated on the gardasil web site your son is tested for

any allergic reactions to the ingredients listed otherwise it's on you. Also they clearly state it is no guarantee against hpv or cervical cancer. And possibly only protects from 4 of the 100 known types of hpv.

[TheWraith]

8. The 4 types responsible for 70% of cervical cancer.

As well as most HPV induced cases of penile, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers. I dare say it's worth it.