My 15 year old, (almost 16) daughter just received this shot. She said to the nurse and doctor that she is a virgin and didn't need the shot because she wasn't planning any activity. They explained to her that it wouldn't hurt her to have the vaccine, but could lead to cirvical cancer if she changed her mind and got the HPV virus. I think the most conservative and pure young lady should still get this shot because there are so many things that can happen. I've seen very pure girls decide to have relations because they were "in love". In addition we cannot prevent an attack on our girls. I say air on the side of caution.

There is no cure for cervical cancer but now there IS protection from it. What is the issue?

This vaccine has not been approved for males at this time, but as soon as it is . . . it will be stongly encouraged that all children receive this vaccine against cervical cancer.I understand the concerns about giving the child a false sense of security and that is the last thing any of us desire. I am a medical professional and I strongly enourage any girl of age to receive the vaccine. However, while I am explaining it I make sure I make it very clear that it is to prevent CERVICAL CANCER NOT STDs. I look at the girl and tell her that she can still contract an STD and even still get HPV, but that if she does get it, that she will be protected from the cervical cancer associated with it. I also encourage them to stay safe by not having sex at all, that abstinence is the ONLY safe sex there is.
If the information is given correctly and the media stops speaking of it in terms of an STD vaccine, the truth may be understood.

This is a vaccine against CERVICAL CANCER NOT against HPV or any other STDs.
This has been the biggest misunderstanding about this vaccine. It is NOT a prevention against STDs and should not be thought about in this way.
Yes, we should and I am going to teach my children to save the precious gift of virginity they have been given for marriage. I also pray that they will marry a person who has done the same thing, in which case there is no concerns about STDs or cervical cancer from them. However ... no matter how hard I pray, and regardless of my teaching, my children may stray. If that does happen, I want my girls to be protected from cervical cancer and my boys protected from giving a girl the chance of getting it since there is no cure for cervical cancer.

The reason for vaccinating girls BEFORE they are sexually active is to prevent the cervical cancer they are at risk for if they are having sex with an infected male. It may be too late once they are sexually active.

For information on legislation by state, visit:

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/HPVvaccine.htm#hpvlegis

Scroll down to find the chart.

I thought this was a very informative article. I can't believe the audacity of the Texas Governor to pass such a mandate when not all girls are sexually active, when all the side affects are not known, especially on girls so young. And how can he just mandate this vaccine for girls and not boys when boys are the ones that carry the virus. What gives him the right to think that he has all power over an issue like this?

This man really needs to get off his High Horse, because with the combination of Parents, Community and 26 of the 31 state senators expressing their displeasure, The Governor is now turning this into an issue of pride, when he knows this was a wrong decision. He is the Governor NOT the Daddy of all these little girls.

Is there anyway I can find out which other states are entertaining this drug?