# My son just turned 11, and got the HPV vaccine. Who else got it for their sons? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 9, 2017, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098 "2017-11-09T03:58:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/21 "2017-11-10T02:29:41Z")
When the pediatrician first suggested it, we gave our sons the choice and they said no. Now, at 17 and 19, they say they want to get it. Penis cancer doesn’t appeal to them. ---
**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:** [November 10, 2017, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/22 "2017-11-10T02:37:56Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > When the pediatrician first suggested it, we gave our sons the choice and they said no. Now, at 17 and 19, they say they want to get it. Penis cancer doesn’t appeal to them. Someone has seen the PSAs. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/23 "2017-11-10T03:12:25Z")
> [@](#): > > Hmm. My son didn’t get that. Maybe because there was some confusion when he moved about whether he’d had a booster-- we knew he had, but the school didn’t have the records, so we just got him another, and he ended up with the extra on his record at the doctor’s; the doctor remarked on it. Maybe that bought him a year or two until he needs another. In US, normal schedule is to give DTaP to children up until they complete series at at 4-6 years old (4 being routine age). Then a Tdap at 11 (Tdap being the adolescent/adult version with more Tetanus antigens and fewer Diphtheria and Pertussis, hence the chance in capitalization). After that boosters are every 10 years. But if a child doesn’t have all their DTaPs by a certain age, they can get a Tdap on or after 7th birthday. I think that means ten years until due again, but am not 100% positive. > [@](#): > > In recent years, the meningitis vaccine has been recommended for younger kids. My sons had it before they started high school. Currently, my state does Menigococcal at 11 and then again at 16. [like so](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/teen/parent-version-schedule-7-18yrs.pdf). I think the [kid’s schedule](https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/downloads/parent-ver-sch-0-6yrs.pdf) is a lot easier to read, though. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/24 "2017-11-10T03:47:49Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > We got it for our son. I’m pretty sure the doctors recommended it, but if they hadn’t, we would have asked for it. There’s a definite sexist tinge to they way it’s encouraged for girls but not for boys. > > I’ve been curious for a while – why don’t they recommend it for adults? Is it because they assume you already have HPV? Is it not effective? Couldn’t they check for HPV and, if you don’t have it, give you the shot? The original reasearch was done with girls. There was no research showing that vacinating boys or older women was anything other than randomly sticking needles in them. There was a substantial medical tradition that medical treetment should be avoided unless there is a clear and present need for it. There has been more recent research demonstrating benefits with groups beyond that originally targeted, but the benefits are still smaller and less direct than those demonstrated for the origina group. In the case of older women, age is used as a proxy for prior and subsequent exposure. If you have not been sexually active, and are about to become a swinger, at age 26, vaccination would be a good idea, even though it is less effective at that age. But statisticly, that’s not highly likely, so it’s perha[ps a waste of time and money. ---
**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:** [November 10, 2017, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/25 "2017-11-10T13:55:53Z")
> [@Tzigone](#): > > In US, normal schedule is to give DTaP to children up until they complete series at at 4-6 years old (4 being routine age). Then a Tdap at 11 (Tdap being the adolescent/adult version with more Tetanus antigens and fewer Diphtheria and Pertussis, hence the chance in capitalization). After that boosters are every 10 years. But if a child doesn’t have all their DTaPs by a certain age, they can get a Tdap on or after 7th birthday. I think that means ten years until due again, but am not 100% positive. I need to check: my son broke his arm at nine, but the day before his 10th birthday. I’m pretty sure they gave him a tetanus shot, because he was getting a pin, and the pin protrudes from the arm (under the cast, but still, a potential vector for infection, and after they remove it, the wound has to heal). Perhaps they gave him the DTaP. He ended up staying at the hospital overnight after being admitted through emergency, and I was the one who went home to get some of his stuff, as well as let the dog out, so DH was there with him alone for a while, and could have authorized it while I was not there (I would have done the same thing). If he was due for one at his last appt and didn’t get it, I need to make sure he gets it when we get the HPV booster. I have a hard time believing he was due and the doctor just overlooked it, though. There must be a good reason he didn’t get it. Or hell, maybe he did, and I lost count of the shots. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/26 "2017-11-10T14:04:15Z")
My son is 13, and just got the HPV vaccine last time he went to the doctor with his Mom. I don’t regret him getting it in the least, but I’m far from convinced this needs to be done so routinely. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/27 "2017-11-10T16:41:55Z")
My sister had all of her boys done - which makes sense since she has had treatment for pre-cancerous cells. My daughter has it, and I have had it - I had never had an abnormal pap and am under 52, so they gave it to me at the military health clinic. ---
**Author:** ![wombattver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b77776/32.png) [@wombattver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wombattver)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/28 "2017-11-10T22:58:16Z")
Both my daughter and son have had the HPV vaccination. My daughter was very cross when she learned her younger brother only had to have 2 doses whereas she had received 3 shots! Out of all the shots and vaccines over the years, only the HPV caused her any problems - she nearly passed out and was so dizzy the nurse had to bring her Powerade and she had to lay down for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2017, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/29 "2017-11-10T23:14:21Z")
> [@wombattver](#): > > Both my daughter and son have had the HPV vaccination. My daughter was very cross when she learned her younger brother only had to have 2 doses whereas she had received 3 shots! Out of all the shots and vaccines over the years, only the HPV caused her any problems - she nearly passed out and was so dizzy the nurse had to bring her Powerade and she had to lay down for a while. Only one that ever gave me trouble was a tetanus booster when I was 18. I also passed out (several minutes later as my mother was at the counter to pay). Got brought a juice. [Apparently teenage girls faint more often than others when vaccinated](https://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/news/20080501/more-teen-girls-faint-after-vaccination), though this references all the adolescent vaccines, so I don’t know if it’s more common with HPV than other types. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/30 "2017-11-11T14:37:56Z")
I did, way back years ago. My pediatrician was right on it for both kids. But then, my pediatrician knows that I’m one of those parents regarding my kids and sex that will say - when they are eleven “yep, they will have sex eventually, give them the shot.” ---
**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:** [November 11, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/31 "2017-11-11T16:10:09Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > I did, way back years ago. > > My pediatrician was right on it for both kids. But then, my pediatrician knows that I’m one of those parents regarding my kids and sex that will say - when they are eleven “yep, they will have sex eventually, give them the shot.” Yeah. I think it would be great if my son waited until he was 18, but I have no delusions. I also don’t think that even if he were to wait until he was out of high school, he’s not going to have just one partner his whole life, who has one partner her (or his, I guess, but the boychik shows every indication of liking girls) whole life. The world has never worked that way. ---
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/32 "2017-11-11T17:46:52Z")
Can adult males get the vaccine too? ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/33 "2017-11-11T18:19:27Z")
> [@Hector\_St\_Clare](#): > > Can adult males get the vaccine too? Absolutely. Thought it’s only recommended (for women or men) until age 26, under the idea you’ve probably already been exposed if older. Some doctors will still give it if you are older, though. Though it typically wouldn’t be covered under insurance. ---
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098/34 "2017-11-11T19:10:05Z")
> [@Tzigone](#): > > Absolutely. Thought it’s only recommended (for women or men) until age 26, under the idea you’ve probably already been exposed if older. Some doctors will still give it if you are older, though. Though it typically wouldn’t be covered under insurance. I didn’t have sex until 32, so I certainly didn’t have it by 26. I’m interested in a mutually open relationship though, rather than traditional monogamous marriage though, so I probably have a bigger risk than I would otherwise (my doctor told me condoms don’t work against HPV). Mostly b/c I don’t want to spread it to someone else, I think it’s worse for women than for men. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-son-just-turned-11-and-got-the-hpv-vaccine-who-else-got-it-for-their-sons/801098.md?page=1)