Adina Nack, Ph.D.

A friend of mine recently asked for my advice because her family was debating about whether or not her 13 year-old cousin should get vaccinated for HPV.

I replied to her that, basically, the decision to vaccinate comes down to whether or not one trusts the FDA's standards for safety and efficacy -- there's always allowances for mild to severe side effects/adverse reactions when they approve any vaccine. Unfortunately, there's no clear way of knowing how a particular child's body will respond to Gardasil, or any other, vaccine.

Also, it's vital that those contemplating the vaccine understand that HPV has been linked to serious oral/throat cancers for which the medical community does not have good diagnostic tests (e.g., there is no 'pap smear' for the throat). So, choosing to get their daughter vaccinated may be one of the only ways to prevent her from ultimately developing one of these serious types of cancer.

My bottom line: if parents or the girl feel like the vaccine risks are too high, then they should be reassured that there is valid info. out there about what HPV is, how to avoid contracting it, how to be regularly tested for it, and treatment options. I cover all of these in my book and am working on a new book that will address these questions (and more) for women/men/boys/girls.

For other reputable websites that discuss HPV and the vaccine in more detail, please visit my Resources page.