HPV VACCINE: WHAT AGE IS APPROPRIATE?

November 4, 2007

By Cathy Mangan, 17

A 9-year-old girl is too young to understand why she might need to receive a vaccine to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

Yet the target age for girls to receive the vaccine Gardasil, a series of shots to prevent human papillomavirus, or HPV, is 9-11.

That young age range may prevent parents from taking their daughters to get the vaccine. That’s because many moms and dads do not feel their daughters are ready to discuss the basic facts of sex and STDs sexually transmitted diseases and should not get the vaccine without understanding it first.

When I was 9, I loved playing with Kirsten, my American Girl doll. On weekends, I played dress up, and loved giving “makeovers” with other girls and their dolls. My life was sheltered. As a tween, I lived in oblivion was oblivious to issues like sexually transmitted diseases.

But, by age 12, girls can comprehend the information about the vaccine and decide with their parents if they should get the shots. The vaccine will still be effective at that age; health care professionals recommend the shot for women through age 26.A state law that went into effect July 1, sponsored by Sen. Connie Lawson, R-Danville, requires schools to send home a letter with sixth-grade girls that explains HPV and Gardasil.

At age 9, I wasn’t ready to have “the talk” with my parents yet. My little world of American Girl dolls, dress up and makeovers did not include discussions about STDs.

However, by sixth grade, I was fully capable of comprehending and discussing such issues with my parents. In my opinion, sending home a letter about HPV with girls who are starting sixth grade is an excellent decision.

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