Talking to Your Daughter About the HPV Vaccine

The HPV Vaccine and Your Family

Since the FDA approved Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, parents of young girls have been forced to make a decision about their child’s healthcare – to vaccinate or not.

Many questions have been raised about the moral issues of vaccinating young girls against a sexually transmitted virus. Will it promote promiscuity? Are there unknown side effects? How do I talk to my daughter about a vaccine when she hasn't even learned about sex?

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions about the HPV vaccine. What parents need to know is that is their job to make an informed decision regarding vaccinating their child against HPV. I suggest to research as much as possible about HPV, Gardasil, and cervical cancer. From there, you can make a personal decision without being influenced.

Q. I haven't even talked to my daughter about sex yet. She is still playing with dolls! How do I tell her she needs to get a shot to prevent a virus she may get from having sex?

What I like to ask most parents is if they discuss why their child needs the MMR or DTaP with their child when they get regular vaccinations. The answer is usually no. When children ask their parents why they need to get shots, the normal answer is to keep them healthy. The same can be with the HPV virus, and when your child is older, then you can discuss the HPV vaccine more in-depth. Or perhaps, you can just say that she needs the virus to prevent cancer.

Q. I am afraid that talking about the vaccine with my teen will make her think that having unprotected sex is okay. How can I prevent that?

If your daughter is at the age where you can openly communicate about sex and she can fully understand, then you should be able to discuss moral issues, too. Reiterating to your daughter that the HPV vaccine does not protect against pregnancy, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases is very important. Your teen should be aware of all the consequences of having protected and unprotected sex, and as a parent it is your job to ensure she fully understands.

Q. At what age do you think I should talk to my daughter about HPV and the vaccine?

Unfortunately, there is no “magic” number. Each girl matures differently and some may be ready to learn about HPV before others. As a parent you have to assess your child’s maturity level.

Many experts recommend talking to your children about sexually transmitted diseases when you teach your children about sex and reproduction. You can incorporate information about HPV and the vaccine when discussing HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

If you have any doubts, you can always discuss the matter with your child's pediatrician. Hopefully, he or she knows your child well and can help determine when you child is ready to talk about sex.