The Importance Of The HPV Vaccine
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We all know the importance of getting our children vaccinated when they are babies. What I didn’t think of was how important it would be to think about protecting Booey in the future. Like any parent, I want to keep my children safe and protected. This is why, when it came time for Booey to have the HPV vaccine, I didn’t hesitate in signing the permission form.
What is the HPV vaccine?
HPV (The human papillomavirus) is common and passed through intimate sexual contact. It is so common that most people get it at some point in their lifetime. In most women, it does not cause cervical cancer, but it is important that all girls get the vaccine as it is not known who will go on to develop cancer. Studies show that 2 doses of the vaccine are enough to give long-lasting protection to girls.
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35. 3000 cases are diagnosed in the UK each year, and out of those 900 women die. But there is evidence from Australia, Denmark, Scotland and England that the vaccine is already having an impact on HPV infections. In time it is expected that it will save 100s of lives in the UK each year.
Booey’s experience with the HPV vaccine
Booey was apprehensive when she bought the leaflet and consent form home. I sat down with her and read through all the information with her. After talking about it she realised that it was best to have the vaccine. I know that this is not a 100% certainty to stop her from getting cervical cancer, but if it reduces the chances of her getting it then I am all for it.
Cancer of any kind is nasty. It devastates families. We know this after losing my dad to brain cancer 2 years ago. This is why it is so important for me to protect my family. I couldn’t do that for my dad, but I can for Booey.
The vaccine is offered to all girls in year 8, the second injection is offered 6 – 12 months later. Booey had no reaction to the jab, there was the most minuscule red dot on her arm and that was it.
I decided to write this post to highlight the importance of getting the HPV vaccine. I think all girls should be given the chance to protect themselves.
For more information you can visit www.nhs.uk/hpv
Take care everyone.
12 Comments
Morgan Prince
Being a cervical cancer survivor I am so glad to hear your daughter has got the vaccine. It is SO important. I was diagnosed last year after a routine smear test and it was quite a shock. I was lucky in that it was very small and had surgery to have it removed. But I now have to have more regular tests and can only hope it doesn’t return. Anything that can prevent people from dying of cancer is SO important.
#familyfun
aliduke79@hotmail.com
I am so glad you got through it. It is important to let everyone know that you can prevent some of these things x
Nicole - Tales from Mamaville
Such an important and useful post – thanks for spreading the word. #TriumphantTales
aliduke79@hotmail.com
Thank you for reading x
Briony
I’m completely with you, any step you can take to reduce the chance of cancer is worth taking and the HPV vaccine is pretty straight forward #fortheloveofBLOG
aliduke79@hotmail.com
Yes it is x
Karen | TwoTinyHands
Any vaccine that is available free for our kids is so important for them. Anything that can reduce odds or help is not worth saying no too. Good idea to write about it Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky
aliduke79@hotmail.com
Thank you x
Jaki
I completely agree with you. There is so much stigma around vaccines lately and I don’t really understand. If a little vaccine will prevent my child from getting ill, then in my opinion, it’s a no brainer! Thanks for joining in with #TriumphantTales, hope to see you back again tomorrow.
aliduke79@hotmail.com
Exactly, if you can prevent something, why wouldn’t you?
The Pramshed
This is so important and definitely not a vaccination to miss out on or for go. I am huge believer that children and adults should be vaccinated to protect them, but also to stop the spread of diseases. It’s great how far science and medical research has come along today, and we should all take advantage of this. Thanks for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
aliduke79@hotmail.com
My thoughts exactly. These breakthroughs are happening, we should take advantage of them x