HPV vaccine discussion

jadesailor14,

😉

Look, you can get the shot if you want, but don't expect the manufacturer to guarantee you'll actually make it through the process alive. I just got hit with an email that said this:
"Three girls died, and others ended up in the ER right after getting the HPV vaccine (Gardasil)

Following the rollout of that controversial mandate in the US requiring girls to be vaccinated with Merck's new HPV vaccine, Gardasil, reports of some seriously scary side effects are starting to trickle in.
Judicial Watch has flagged 1,637 adverse reactions, including three cases where young girls passed away shortly after immunization. Judicial Watch managed to get their hands on these reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention using the Freedom of Information Act.
Over in Australia, 25 girls dealt with massive headaches, nausea, and dizziness after being jabbed. In some instances, things got so bad they had to be rushed to the hospital. The stock value for the Australian company CSL took a dive once news of this incident broke.

New England Journal of Medicine, June 9, 2007;334:1182-1183—I checked the source, and you should too.

Dr. Mercola's take:
Should the government really be forcing girls to take Gardasil when the potential fallout includes death and hospitalization? We're also seeing reports from the National Center regarding fainting spells and vertigo, which dozens of patients have reported as side effects of Gardasil. On top of that, there are even whispers that Gardasil might trigger infertility.
That is way too much risk for a single vaccine that only offers intermittent protection against HPV—something that can be avoided entirely without such an expensive and potentially lethal shot.
Please understand that Merck has basically played the medical and political systems to force children into taking this dangerous vaccine just so they can rake in massive profits. Their little bait? The promise of potentially reducing cervical cancer.
Keep in mind, Merck, the maker of this vaccine, is the exact same company that produced Vioxx, which killed over 60,000 people.
It’s also vital to look at the math: this year, about 11,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer caused by HPV, and 3,700 of them will die from it. By comparison, 16 times more women in the US will deal with breast cancer (178,480), and 11 times more will die from it (40,460).

As Merck's own literature points out, it's important to realize that Gardasil doesn't protect women against certain "non-vaccine" types of HPV. So, even if these girls take the risk and get the shot, they could still end up catching HPV anyway.

At the end of the day, even though over 6 million women get infected with HPV every year, a woman's immune system is usually strong enough to handle it on its own. About 90% of HPV infections clear up naturally within two years.
Remember, it isn't just about the infection itself; it's about the human immune system. You're constantly exposed to bacteria and viruses, but if you maintain a healthy lifestyle, your body's defenses can easily shut those infections down.

I did a little digging online, and if you type "gardasil-hpv-death" into a search engine, you'll find a whole rabbit hole of info. Honestly, it feels like our health officials either don't know how to use Google or their kickbacks are so high they're choosing to look the other way.

So, let’s look at the facts: this vaccine is essentially just preventative measure against four specific strains of HPV—namely 6 and 11, which are the low-risk ones responsible for genital warts, and then 16 and 18, which are considered high-risk. When you consider that there are actually around 150 different types of HPV out there, I find myself questioning the actual logic behind pushing a vaccine that covers such a tiny fraction of the problem, especially when we still don't fully grasp the long-term health implications for young girls—consequences that likely won't be understood for years to come. It’s worth noting that standard HPV typing tests screen for 13 high-risk strains, yet this shot only provides protection against two of them. Essentially🤷

slywolf45 said:don't think so.

Look, about 60-70% of women are carrying HPV, but it’s just sitting there dormant, so it doesn't even show up on a Pap smear. It’s only when it actually kicks into gear and causes an infection that you start seeing it on those tests. Even if you manage to suppress the infection, the virus is still hanging around in your system—it's just quiet. That's why people suggest getting vaccinated, supposedly to stop it from waking up again. At the end of the day, the virus can basically live inside you your entire life without you ever knowing, and it only becomes a real problem once it activates and triggers an actual infection.

Since we’re already on this topic, does anyone happen to know if supplemental health insurance covers HPV?

The efficacy of this HPV vaccine remains profoundly questionable—at least according to my own deep dives into some rather reputable sources. You see, the fundamental logic behind any vaccine is to stimulate the production of antibodies in the bloodstream to guard against systemic infections; however, HPV (specifically the strains targeted by this shot) manifests as a localized infection, which leads one to wonder about the actual utility here...

Honestly, for anyone actually paying attention, there isn't really any confusion about the vaccine. It’s designed to prevent the most common types rather than act as a cure, and since it protects against four specific types, you're covered against those even if you've already been exposed to others. It doesn't just target cancer; it prevents CIN and those incredibly common warts we see everywhere (cancer is really just the final, worst stage of the whole process). Major players like the FDA, the CDC, and other health authorities all maintain that after millions upon millions of doses, these vaccines are safe. All those claims about fatalities and the issues mentioned haven't been proven to be caused by the vaccine at all. And as for people changing their habits? I guess they won't. Like someone else pointed out... just ask the people who are actually living through this if they'd choose to get vaccinated. So, 🙂

I’ve got some serious doubts about this whole thread

Look, if you've already caught the virus, questioning the efficacy of a vaccine is just common sense; after all, vaccines are meant for immunization, not as a cure—otherwise, they'd be registered as actual medication. As for the side effects, I honestly think it’ll take years before we see the true scale of deaths or severe complications caused by these shots, but then again, that isn't exactly news, is it? Every single vaccine comes with its own set of complications; the real question is just how many there are and whether the risk is even worth taking, especially since with standard checkups and existing treatments, HPV isn't exactly a death sentence or something that's going to leave you incapacitated.

The thing is, it only covers the four most common types, and two of those are considered low-risk anyway. Those high-risk types, 16 and 18, account for roughly 50%, maybe a tiny bit more, of all CIN cases triggered by HPV, which basically means the vaccine is only halfway effective. When you weigh all of that up, you really have to wonder if it’s actually worth anyone risking it at all.

Listen up, guys,
I saw this TV ad pushing the cervical cancer vaccine and figured I’d call the toll-free number to get the scoop. My daughter is 16, and I was thinking she should probably get it. But when I started asking actual questions, the price they quoted me was straight-up insulting. Since we don't live in Washington, D.C., the cost is $1000. "Look, you need the first shot which is $333, then two more, so that's $1000 total," the voice on the phone told me. Then the woman had the nerve to point out that if my kid lived in Washington, D.C., she wouldn't have to pay a dime.
I don't get it—if they're running a massive ad campaign like this, why is it only for people in Washington, D.C.? Does the rest of America just not have girls and women? Maybe I totally missed the point of the ad... or maybe I just didn't catch what that lady on the phone was really saying.
Honestly, if I heard them right, it's a total joke. I don't know who's behind this campaign, but it should be covering the whole damn country, not just one city. If Washington, D.C. has the cash to fund this, then other municipalities should too. We all pay our taxes, but it feels like our money goes straight to the big bosses in Washington, D.C. first, and then eventually trickles back down to us. It's pretty obvious that Washington, D.C. thinks it's its own little empire within the USA!

Hi wanderinglynx4!
Here's my take. From what I've heard about this vaccine and from chatting with friends, the total cost for the full series (three doses, like you mentioned) comes to $1167... though those might be old numbers, so things could have changed $1000. As for whether it's specific to certain areas in Washington, D.C., I'm skeptical (even if D.C. does have its own perks when it comes to things like public transit), but it's possible... maybe try digging around online for more info. Regarding the price itself, it feels high, obviously, but we're talking about health here. HPV is manageable, but if the virus progresses, the medical bills and checkups can easily run into thousands of dollars. So, I think $1000 is actually quite reasonable if the shot provides lifelong peace of mind regarding these health issues—not to mention the relief of not constantly worrying about cervical cancer. Personally, I'm starting to consider the vaccine, even though I'm still pretty young.

If you look at the news reports—just do a quick Google search—this specific program targets 7th-grade girls coming from low-income families or military families.
The rest of women are expected to pay for the vaccine themselves .

So, even if your daughter lived right here in Washington, D.C., and came from one of those qualifying families, she actually wouldn't qualify for the program because she's already too old.

As for why just Washington, D.C.? It's because the initiative is funded by the local municipal budget, which is built on the local sales taxes paid by the residents here.
Nobody is stopping other cities from starting their own programs if they want to 🤷, so why not start one in your own hometown?
That local tax money doesn't go to some big central government office; it stays right here in the local treasury where it belongs.😬

In general:
The vaccine protects against types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
But let's be real, there is absolutely no such thing as 100% permanent protection.

Elizabeth Jackson64 said:Greetings, wanderinglynx4!
From what I’ve gathered through my own research and various conversations with friends, the situation regarding that vaccine—specifically the requirement for three doses, just as you pointed out—is quite telling. When you look at the whole picture, it all comes down to this... $1167It is entirely plausible that we are looking at outdated information, and the current reality has shifted significantly since those figures were first compiled. $1000When it comes to the urban sprawl of Washington, D.C., I find myself skeptical about those claims—even though the District always seems to enjoy its own set of unique perks, like having that highly efficient public transit system and other well-known local advantages. Still, it’s not entirely impossible... you might want to do a bit more digging online if you really want to verify that. As for the actual cost of the vaccination itself, I suspect the figures being quoted are, quite frankly, an exaggeration. However, we have to look at the bigger picture: we are talking about health here. HPV is the kind of condition where you can manage it, but if the virus progresses within the body, the subsequent medical interventions and diagnostic tests can easily run you thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses. In my view, when you weigh the initial cost against the potential for long-term medical bills, the math starts to look a little different. $1000 Let’s be honest: if someone gets this vaccine, can they actually rest easy for the rest of their life knowing they won't face any health issues in that area? And I’m not even talking about the constant, underlying anxiety of worrying about cervical cancer. Personally, even though I’m still quite young, I’ve actually started giving the vaccine some serious thought.

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but I have to say you've missed the mark on this one.

I can’t say I’m particularly surprised that the networks have remained silent on this issue. To be honest, their refusal to cover it feels downright irresponsible. By glossing over these details, they create this dangerous illusion for young women—leading them to believe, much like you do, that they are receiving some kind of absolute, impenetrable shield of protection. But let's be clear: that isn't the reality of the situation.

Regarding the vaccination schedule, it is technically accurate that the process requires three doses. The total cost settles in at around $275, and the city of Washington, D.C. has officially decided to foot the bill for seventh graders.

Anyone can get vaccinated, but if you want to be actually effective about it, timing is everything. Ideally, you’d get it done before your first sexual encounter. You can certainly wait until later, but there's a catch: the protection won't be absolute. Why? Because this vaccine targets the four most common types of HPV. Now, consider this: there are roughly fifty different strains that can cause issues in the anogenital area, many of which lead directly to cancer. So, let's look at the math. This vaccine protects against those top four specific types. Two of them are considered low-risk—meaning they mostly just cause genital warts—while two are high-risk. But when you realize there are dozens upon dozens of other strains out there, the reality becomes clear. In principle, you aren't truly "protected" because you remain vulnerable to any of the other types you haven't been immunized against.

The reason I pointed out that the vaccine’s efficacy drops if you wait until after you've become sexually active is pretty straightforward: the odds of already being exposed to HPV increase significantly. If someone is unknowingly carrying an HPV strain that happens to be one of the specific types covered by the shot, the vaccine won't offer any protection against that particular strain—it only provides defense against the other three types included in the formula. It's like buying an umbrella when it's already pouring rain; it might help with the next storm, but it doesn't do much for the soak you're currently enduring. That is exactly why medical professionals recommend getting vaccinated before that first sexual encounter occurs.

I find myself circling back to the point I made earlier—the one where I suspected we were looking at this through a flawed lens. It really comes down to the basic math of biology: this vaccine only targets four specific strains, yet there are dozens upon dozens of other types out there. To suggest that getting the shot makes you bulletproof is a dangerous oversimplification. You aren't magically immune to everything else; you still carry the risk of contracting a different strain that the vaccine doesn't even touch. Therefore, this shouldn't be treated as some kind of ironclad guarantee of safety, especially for people who might assume they can be reckless or promiscuous just because they've been vaccinated. Thinking you're invincible after a single shot is a massive gamble.

Furthermore, we remain entirely in the dark regarding the actual duration of this vaccine's efficacy. Current assumptions suggest a window of roughly five years, which implies that a booster shot will inevitably be required once that period elapses. It’s a cycle of perpetual dependency.

It’s also worth noting—and frankly, this is what really burns my fuse—that there were reports of fatalities linked to that vaccine over in Europe. Now, look, nothing has been officially codified or formally proven by the authorities yet, but the pattern is hard to ignore. You have all these young women who passed away, and in every single case, they had received that vaccine either that very day or just a few days prior. When you look at those timelines, it’s impossible not to assume there’s a direct connection between the shot and their deaths.

Watching the news lately has been nothing short of exhausting. They present this vaccine as if it’s some sort of divine miracle, a flawless shield that guarantees you'll never have to worry about cancer. It's a sanitized, one-sided narrative designed to soothe the public rather than inform them. What they conveniently leave out—the part that actually matters—is the math. They talk about this shot like it covers everything, yet it only targets four specific types of HPV. In reality, there are dozens upon dozens of other strains out there that are just as capable of triggering malignancy. It’s a massive oversight that feels less like an accident and more like a calculated omission.

Sandra Martin72, thanks for the correction! Like you said, nothing is ever a sure thing. I haven't seen or heard anything about it only covering four virus types before. I’m definitely not an expert on HPV, but I noticed nobody was really answering Jordan's call for help here... :P The truth is, there just isn't enough coverage on this virus or the disease in general. It should be everywhere—news, TV, the internet, radio—and even taught in middle school biology classes. Kids are getting active much earlier now without being informed about the risks. Personally, I didn't get vaccinated. I thought about it, but then I heard something that really shook me, which I'll pass along to Jordan: a friend of mine has a mother who works at the Department of Health. She wanted to vaccinate her daughter against HPV at 16, but she backed off immediately after hearing about the potential consequences. In the worst cases, we're talking about paralysis (I'm not sure of the exact percentage), not to mention chronic headaches and fatigue. I don't think those are just rumors; I believe they're real, so my conclusion is that there's simply no benefit to the shot... 😢 Regular checkups and testing are the only way to go. Cheers!

Elizabeth Jackson64 said:Sandra Martin72, thanks for the correction! It’s just as you said—nothing is ever a certainty. I haven't read or heard anywhere that this covers only four specific strains; I know I'm certainly not an expert on HPV, but when I saw that nobody was responding to Jordan's plea for help... :P The reality is that there is far too little discussion regarding this virus and the illness in general. In an ideal world, this should be front and center in our news, TV, the internet, and radio, or even integrated into middle school biology classes, given how early young people are becoming sexually active without being informed of the risks. Personally, I didn't get vaccinated. I weighed the options, but I encountered information that truly unsettled me, which I should mention to Jordan: I have an acquaintance whose mother works at the Department of Health, and she wanted to vaccinate her daughter against HPV at age 16, but she backed off the moment she heard about the potential for fatal consequences—in the worst cases, paralysis (though I don't know the exact frequency), as well as chronic headaches and weakness. I suspect this isn't merely hearsay but a harsh truth, which leads me to conclude that there is absolutely no benefit to vaccination... 😢 Regular checkups and screenings are the only real solution... regards!

It's true; we simply don't talk enough about HPV. Nowadays, it's akin to the plague from centuries ago; if you consider how many people are carrying it without even knowing, it's staggering. Unfortunately, a massive number of women and young girls don't visit their gynecologists at all due to a sense of shame or whatever else—which, to me, seems utterly absurd. It actually infuriated me how they marketed the vaccine on television; it essentially framed it as though you could get vaccinated and then engage in unprotected sex with anyone without consequence. Naturally, this leads young women who know nothing about HPV to believe the hype, get the shot, maintain uncontrolled sexual lives, and eventually find themselves blindsided by a diagnosis.

The unfortunate reality is that the vaccine only protects against the four most common types of HPV, yet there are dozens more. Even if it does cover the "most common" ones, you never truly know which strain you'll actually encounter.

I didn't know much about HPV myself, even though I worked as a nurse in a gynecology clinic. It wasn't because I lacked interest, but rather because I didn't delve into it deeply since I didn't personally deal with it. That changed the day I discovered I had HPV myself; after that, I mastered the subject. The truth is, even doctors don't seem to know as much as they should. Another critical factor is finding a conscientious physician. As I often write and advise women regarding HPV, I see firsthand how many doctors are irresponsible, lazy, or negligent. I won't be rude, but it is appalling to see them take no action, stay silent, or provide misleading information to women. It makes me wonder how these doctors can practice, allowing a woman to progress toward carcinoma when timely intervention and following standard HPV protocols could have prevented it. Instead, they either ignore the rules or are simply too lazy to act.

I am actually grateful for my brief stint in gynecology because it taught me so much—not just about HPV, but about women's health in general. It makes things easier when I visit my gynecologist now; I can't be easily misled because I know exactly what my rights are and how the procedures should be handled. If they fail to meet those standards, I demand it.

Just wondering
I was curious about
do girls need to be virgins before getting vaccinated?🤷

Lisa Davis4 said:So, here's what I'm wondering:
do girls need to be virgins before getting the shot?
🤷?

No, they don't....The main thing is just making sure they haven't already been exposed to the virus. Since it's passed through unprotected sex, a doctor would typically run a swab test to check for it first.
😁

I feel like I’m shouting into a void here because this is actually my third time bringing this up, yet all I get are guesses instead of actual facts...
SO, HERE IT IS:::

I am 26 years old, and so far, every single one of my Pap smears has come back perfectly clear. Well, I went in for my annual checkup this morning, had a Pap test done, and my gynecologist suggested that if this result is negative, I should consider getting the HPV vaccine.

That brings me to my questions... Has anyone here gone through the vaccination process later in life—specifically after age 13? And more importantly, what are the COSTS like? I have heard whispers that the vaccine is incredibly expensive. On the flip side, I've also heard rumors that it might be available for free through certain programs.
Does anyone actually have some solid information on this...

Thanks much

Susan Harris said:This is actually the third time I’ve posted this question, but I really just need some solid info. It feels like everyone here is just guessing...
SO HERE'S THE DEAL:::

I'm 26, and so far, all my Pap smears have come back totally fine. I went in for my yearly checkup this morning, had a Pap done, and my gynecologist mentioned that if this one is negative too, I should consider getting the HPV vaccine.

So, here’s what I’m wondering... Has anyone here gotten vaccinated after age 13? And what are we talking about in terms of COST? I’ve heard it can be incredibly expensive. On the flip side, I also heard there might be ways to get it for free.
Does anyone actually know the deal with this?

Thanks!

In Washington, D.C., it's free for 7th-grade girls... the local government picks up the tab...
There was a huge debate over why they only target 7th graders... It seems like the turnout hasn't been great because people are either misinformed or just plain scared... They give three doses. Each one costs about $300... Honestly, your best bet is to call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or check www.cdc.gov to get the straight facts...
It looks like the city is sticking to only covering those 7th-grade students again this year... I guess it's meant to be a bit of financial relief for parents...
If you end up paying out of pocket, make sure to grab your receipt so you can claim it as a tax deduction when you file your taxes... Hope that helps a little bit..☕

Has anyone here gone through the vaccination process themselves or maybe gotten their kids vaccinated...
What kind of experiences have you all had when it comes to side effects?😢

I got my shot about six months ago during those free school vaccination programs for middle schoolers. 🙂
Three doses? No big deal, doesn't hurt at all.
The idea is you get vaccinated before you're even active so you've already built up that immunity by the time you need it, or something like that. But people who are already sexually active can get it too; I think they just have to go through a checkup first. My sister got hers done as well,