# Did you get you son vaccinated for HPV? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 5, 2020, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136 "2020-04-05T16:29:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2020, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/21 "2020-04-06T23:36:49Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > We were honest with him about the reasons why: we told him it prevented cancer, but the cancer it prevented was very rare in boys; however, boys could infect girls with something that was very likely to give them cancer, and it could be a deadly cancer. As others noted, this is kinda outdated, it turns it’s not so rare after all. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/22 "2020-04-07T02:08:13Z")
We had our son vaccinated. His pediatrician recommended it, CDC recommended it. Minimal risk compared to the benefits. No brainer. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/23 "2020-04-07T02:45:06Z")
Here, it’s done through the schools in Year 7. Both our daughters had the shot. Our son is in Year 7 this year. We signed the permission form but … guess that’s on hold for a little bit now! ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/24 "2020-04-07T02:50:33Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > As others noted, this is kinda outdated, it turns it’s not so rare after all. Actually, I meant penile cancer. Cancer of the erectile tissue is possible, but apparently really, really rare; however, it does appear to be connected to HPV. I didn’t even know about the throat cancer. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/25 "2020-04-07T02:56:46Z")
Yes, both kids. (One genetically female and trans, the other cis male.) ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/26 "2020-04-07T03:11:33Z")
Son of a gun, I thought HPV was strictly a cervical cancer thing. Ignorance fought, thanks OP!!! ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/27 "2020-04-07T05:54:37Z")
I have 2 sons, 15 and 12, and they’ve both had the full series of HPV vaccine. Their pediatrician recommended it. We would’ve asked for if she hadn’t. I wasn’t aware of the throat cancer link and am now doubly glad we did it. ---
**Author:** ![wombattver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b77776/32.png) [@wombattver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wombattver)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/28 "2020-04-07T08:13:35Z")
yes! ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/29 "2020-04-07T12:51:21Z")
Are there any legitimate concerns with this vaccine? Operative word there is legitimate. When our kids got this, the only opposition we could detect was from religious people, because this had to do with reproductive organs and sexuality, which I guess they’re squeamish about. As if all kids won’t grow-up and have a sex life.:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/30 "2020-04-07T13:00:43Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > We did. > > He’s 13. We got him vaccinated last year. Not sexually active at the time (and still not yet, albeit, last year, not physically developed for it). I’m pretty sure he’s being honest with us as far as not being active. At any rate, we pretty much know where he is when he isn’t in school. He’s not old enough to be out in the evenings, except for specific events, yet. > > We were honest with him about the reasons why: we told him it prevented cancer, but the cancer it prevented was very rare in boys; however, boys could infect girls with something that was very likely to give them cancer, and it could be a deadly cancer. At that, suddenly, he wanted the vaccine. He even said if he married someone, and gave her cancer, that would be as bad for him as it would for her, especially if they had kids. I know the ramifications of going around infecting people are greater than just protecting one’s marriage partner, but I didn’t belabor the point with a 13-yr-old. The fact that he came up with that much on his own, I thought was pretty good. > > What about other people? > > Is there anyone whose son’s doctor advised against it? Yes, my son was vaccinated. He was older than the age range (early 20s) when it became recommended for boys, but it will still give him some protection. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/31 "2020-04-07T13:04:14Z")
I remember first reading about this around 12 years ago, when the UK first introduced a cervical cancer vaccine for girls on the NHS. There was a campaign to ‘upgrade’ the standard vaccine to one that also protected against HPV, which 3 years later was successful. Since then I have had 2 sons, and so had forgotten about the issue. But on reading this thread, I researched it and found that last year the vaccine has been extended to all 12/13 year-olds in the UK. My two will certainly be getting it in a few years. Thanks for the prompt, OP (and others). ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/32 "2020-04-07T14:33:44Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Are there any legitimate concerns with this vaccine? One can legitimately be concerned about cost if good health care coverage is lacking. Guidelines for HPV testing/Pap tests will still need to be followed in those who’ve been vaccinated (no vaccine is 100% effective, and there are some strains of HPV not covered by the vaccine). HPV vaccines have an excellent safety record, despite attempts by antivaxers to blame them for a wide array of disorders. \*"Results from prelicensure trials, data from 10 years of post-licensure monitoring from passive reporting and specific endpoint studies have demonstrated the remarkable safety of the HPV vaccines. Because 4-valent HPV vaccine has been the most frequently administered HPV vaccine in the U.S. through 2015, most safety data relate to this vaccine. Early, limited data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) had suggested an increase in the risk of venous thromboembolic events. Subsequently, several large, population-based studies found no link between HPV vaccination and vascular events, disproving this association. Large population-based analyses have found no association between HPV vaccination and a variety of autoimmune and neurologic conditions. Other safety concerns such as complex regional pain syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and primary ovarian insufficiency have been shown to have no association with HPV vaccine administration. Side effects associated with HPV vaccine administration include those expected from any injectable vaccine such as fever and injection site reaction. Syncope due to a vasovagal reaction may occur after administration of any injectable vaccine such as meningococcal conjugate; tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis; and HPV. Post-vaccination syncope is most likely to be reported in females (77%) 11 through 16 years of age, the age group most likely to have a higher background rate of syncope relative to other age groups."\* [http://aappublications.org/news/2018/08/29/idsnapshot082918](http://aappublications.org/news/2018/08/29/idsnapshot082918) ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/33 "2020-04-07T20:12:26Z")
Yes we did. He’s about to turn 20, so I guess he was around 16 when he got the two shots. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/34 "2020-04-07T20:24:32Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Actually, I meant penile cancer. Cancer of the erectile tissue is possible, but apparently really, really rare; however, it does appear to be connected to HPV. I didn’t even know about the throat cancer. Interesting, I was unaware of the penile cancer risk. AIUI, a solid increase in HPV related throat cancers in men correlates with the changes in sexual behavior associated with the 1960’s. ---
**Author:** ![vonespy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vonespy/32/6204_2.png) [@vonespy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vonespy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/35 "2020-04-07T22:49:37Z")
How old do you have to be for the HPV vaccine to no longer be useful? I’m assuming that a couple in their 50s would be way out of the range to be successfully vaccinated for HPV? ---
**Author:** ![vonespy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vonespy/32/6204_2.png) [@vonespy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vonespy)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/36 "2020-04-07T22:59:31Z")
My google-fu was lacking earlier but it looks like 45 is the cutoff age for the HPV vaccine according to the FDA. I would guess my wife and I could still get it in our 50s but would have to pay (significantly) out of pocket for it. ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/37 "2020-04-07T23:08:04Z")
I don’t have kids but that doesn’t stop me from judging parents. ;-). I think getting your sons vaccinated is the right thing to do. > [@vonespy](#): > > How old do you have to be for the HPV vaccine to no longer be useful? I’m assuming that a couple in their 50s would be way out of the range to be successfully vaccinated for HPV? A monogamous couple who will remain that way for life can derive limited benefit. But people do cheat, divorce, and even decide to open their relationship late in life, and that can expose them to risks they may not have faced already. IIRC there are over 100 strains of HPV; some cause warts, others cause cancer, and while many people will clear these infections on their own, immunity to one strain does not confer immunity to all. The vaccine protects against a few of the most common and dangerous strains. If I hadn’t gotten it already, I’d try to get it for myself regardless of age. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/38 "2020-04-07T23:56:36Z")
Yes, we had our son (and our daughter) vaccinated. It protects them both and it helps build herd immunity. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/39 "2020-04-08T03:11:19Z")
> [@Esprise\_Me](#): > > A monogamous couple who will remain that way for life can derive limited benefit. But people do cheat, divorce, and even decide to open their relationship late in life, and that can expose them to risks they may not have faced already I don’t remember where I heard this but it’s stayed with me: “If you can guarantee 100% that your son or daughter will never be raped or have unprotected sex, then you don’t need to get them the shot. If not…” ---
**Author:** ![Latimera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/latimera/32/497_2.png) [@Latimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latimera)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136/40 "2020-04-08T03:33:02Z")
Absolutely…both boys, now 13 and 15. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-get-you-son-vaccinated-for-hpv/851136.md?page=3)