New Vaccine for Preteen/Teen Girls

What about the vaccine?

In 2006, the FDA licensed the Gardasil HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases in females. Since HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women, the CDC recommends that girls 11 to 12 years of age be vaccinated (with three doses). However, it can be given to girls between 9 and 26 years of age.

The idea is to vaccinate girls before they become sexually active, but all sexually active women should receive the vaccination, too. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States and is the most common in people in their teens and 20s.

The vaccine, which has been tested with thousands of women and is considered effective without serious side effects, is given in three injections over a six-month period. Most insurance companies cover the vaccinations.

Is it controversial?

Like many STD-related products, there is controversy surrounding the vaccine. Opponents say that the vaccine might encourage unprotected sex. However, surveys show that many parents support vaccinating their children.

What can parents tell their daughters about the new vaccine?

If you are a parent who has already starting talking with your preteen or teen about his or her changing body and sexual health, this will not be difficult. You can explain that this vaccine protects women from a sexually transmitted disease that is linked to cervical cancer, and that professionals recommend every young girl get vaccinated (with three doses) before she becomes sexually active.

If you are a parent who has already starting talking with your preteen or teen about his or her changing body and sexual health, this will not be difficult. You can explain that this vaccine protects women from a sexually transmitted disease that is linked to cervical cancer, and that professionals recommend every young girl get vaccinated (with three doses) before she becomes sexually active.

If you have not started this conversation, this is your opportunity. You could say "it prevents cancer," and leave it at that. However, this explanation is not really accurate. If you are going to protect your child, start the talk. Begin with stating your values clearly, such as "I expect that you will not have sex until (insert age or context)." Then talk about the importance of knowing how to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STDS with birth control and condoms.

If you think that your 11-year-old daughter is too young to hear about sexual intercourse, sexually transmitted infections and condoms, think again. National surveys have found that about 7 percent of children have had sexual intercourse before 13 years of age, and about 25 percent of children have done so by 15 years of age. The CDC estimates that there are six million new cases of HPV each year -- many of them in teens and young adults.