The Importance of HPV Vaccination for Boys and Girls

The Alike Team

267d

Did you know HPV vaccination is as important for boys as for girls? Have you taken it? What's your best tip?

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Top reply
    • Harlie

      161d

      @droopingviolet Well, they don't give the HPV vaccine that young, so if a 7 year old passed away, it would be a slim chance that it's HPV related. My children are mostly vaccinated, but there are some vaccines that I don't feel are safe enough or have been tested enough that I refuse. HPV vaccine made me uncomfortable & can still be given after 18. I waited and allowed my oldest daughter to decide for herself on that one as well as the Covid vaccine & will allow my other 3 to do the same.

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    • CozyVibez

      264d

      I've taken it and am a man! Gardasil x 3! Do it sooner rather than later! HPV and HPV-related cancers ain't no joke!!

      24

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    • EatenByWormy

      262d

      I did it very soon after it was approved, I think I was 12-13? I’d rather have some discomfort for a few days than cervical cancer.

      27

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    • E_belli

      262d

      I remember when it first came out and all those girls were having bad reactions. I was probably like 14 or so. My mom told my doctor she would not let me get the shot unless they started giving it to boys. Which was only 3 years later but not as highly publicized as it was for girls. I guess it just slipped our minds. Your post led me to do some research. It seems more important than I once thought. Apparently it is now recommended to people up to age 45 now. Thanks for posting this!

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      • emilym819

        253d

        @E_belli my mom and I made the decision for me not to get it bc of all those harmful side effects. My mom’s a nurse and wasn’t comfortable with how new it was and we had a family friend who had some pretty bad reactions to it. We opted against it and I’m doing just fine

        -1

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        • Heaven197987

          250d

          @emilym819 they have done some improvements on it so side effects aren't like they were.

          8

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    • zoomiesmom

      262d

      Me and my brother both got it at the same time in the pediatric office. We have both turned out ok

      9

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    • JessiRae

      260d

      My son got it. He is fine.

      9

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    • WitchyWoman

      258d

      I have one child that got vaccinated with one dose and has had severe issues with blood pressure and dizziness since. Pediatrician said it’s a real problem with this vaccination. My other two are not and will not be vaccinated with this.

      -5

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      • violet00

        243d

        @WitchyWoman please vaccinate your kids. it’s better than them getting cancer.

        12

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      • Hockeyfan

        236d

        @WitchyWoman my daughter also had a severe reaction to her first dose. It scared us both. Her doctor said the same thing and for her not to get the second dose.

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    • katehall

      258d

      I wish I never got it - I had an adverse reaction and so did my sister. It’s well documented (if one looks but there is a big push to hide it). Please look into this more before considering

      -3

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      • Zellie

        252d

        @katehall What reaction did you have?

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    • Kelbel

      258d

      I was at highest prelevel for cervical cancer when I received the vaccine. All of my kids have had it as well. I went through a uterus scrapping. It is not fun.

      10

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      • Arealsweetone

        237d

        @Kelbel same here my daughter as a teen got both shots with no problems and my Son is 10 years old and got the first shot before school started and gets the next one January ish . They froze my uterus and didn’t tell me I would be dethawing and I peed myself for a month ..: so painful. I’m behind on my yearly OBGYN visit since Covid hit

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    • wise

      258d

      absolutely go for it. I couldn't finish getting it because I had adverse reactions that ultimately led to seizures, but that happens in such a small percentage of cases that the benefits drastically outweigh the risk. my mom couldn't get it in time, she'd already contracted HPV from her cheating ex husband and had surgery for cervical cancer last year. you do not want to get the call that your loved on has an extremely preventable cancer because you thought it couldn't happen to you and you didn't wanna risk having a reaction to a vaccine (something that is always a possibility)

      21

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    • droopingviolet

      257d

      The amount of antivaxxers here makes me sad. HPV is VERY serious. This vaccine literally stops potential cancer. Please vaccinate your kids. Would you rather your kid get a shot with incredibly slim risks or have them die at age 7 from a completely preventable disease? Vaccinate your damn kids. It’s the responsible thing to do.

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      • TexAss

        250d

        @droopingviolet That vaccine came out just as I was nearing the age of 25 and they wouldn't let me take the vaccine. Why should I push something on my children I couldn't test myself?

        -10

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        • fratboykermit

          245d

          @TexAss because medicine evolves- just because grandpa billy couldn't get the cancer cure-all pill, doesn't mean that Billy the Fourteenth a few generations down shouldn't be able to get it either

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        • violet00

          243d

          @TexAss because it’s an important vaccine. i didn’t have any reactions to it and i’m very sensitive to medications and vaccines. my arm hurt for 2 days and i was fine. im so glad i’ve had every vaccine i needed because it’s made me healthier. anti vaxxers make me sad, they’re putting their children is danger.

          9

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      • CaramelMixedHoney

        249d

        @droopingviolet I think what everyone needs fo understand is that no one needs to feel judge for making decisions that THEY feel is right for them and the kids they are raising. Being upset because people won't do what you deem ""responsible" is a waste of energy. We can all respect each other's decisions even if we don't agree.

        -7

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        • violet00

          243d

          @CaramelMixedHoney not vaccinating your children is dangerous and borderline abuse. every anti vaxxer’s child i know got vaccinated at 18 and said their parents were bad for not getting them vaccinated.

          16

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      • courtnehh

        245d

        @droopingviolet i agree. it’s sad when a parent doesn’t want to make the right decision for their child.

        10

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      • Denotchka

        235d

        @droopingviolet I'm not anri vax I'm just careful what I put in my body. We offten don't k ow the indgresients in most vaccines and when I see carless research, I wonder why bother. The drug companies and manufacturers aren't helping either and then tbe government wants to shove it into my body osomething? That'svA WARNING SIGN tgat sometgings up.

        -3

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        • sillyashell

          225d

          @Denotchka Vaccine research is backed by scientists who do careful experimentation. Choosing to not follow common sense "because government" is just stupidity at this point. We almost eradicated polio thanks to vaccines and because of anti vaxxers it's now back and going to claim more victims. Frustrating how we don't listen to science anymore.

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      • Harlie

        161d

        @droopingviolet Well, they don't give the HPV vaccine that young, so if a 7 year old passed away, it would be a slim chance that it's HPV related. My children are mostly vaccinated, but there are some vaccines that I don't feel are safe enough or have been tested enough that I refuse. HPV vaccine made me uncomfortable & can still be given after 18. I waited and allowed my oldest daughter to decide for herself on that one as well as the Covid vaccine & will allow my other 3 to do the same.

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    • depressedunicorn

      257d

      Since I'm not planning on being sexually active other than in the context of marriage the vaccine didn't seem like a good fit for me but I respect those who decide to get it

      -2

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      • 100Percent_K

        250d

        @depressedunicorn from my understanding HPV has been found in individuals who have never been sexually active.

        15

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      • violet00

        243d

        @depressedunicorn it’s not just gotten from sex. better to be safe than sorry.

        10

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    • Anura

      256d

      Notice the people complaining that a vaccine hasn't been around long enough to know if it's safe are always the same people refusing vaccines that have been around for decades, like the MMR and polio vaccines. It's not based in science or logic. Cervical cancer kills a lot of people - that's science. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/safety-availability-biologics/gardasil-vaccine-safety

      21

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      • AnxietyGirl79

        256d

        @Anura all my children are vaccinated but I do refuse to vaccinate them with new vaccines that we don't know the long term effects of, when you have to change the definition of vaccine to call it that I don't trust it. My 17 year old son got the covid vaccine because he was told he couldn't play football if he didn't, now he has myocarditis and can't play anyway, this vaccine fucked my son's heart up and and weakened his heart muscles, this has happened to so many young people and now people who are vaccinated with it are just dropping dead, my niece is one of them, she was only 19 and passed away in her sleep, her cause of death is listed as natural and she was very healthy and athletic, no one should trust a vaccine that's only been around a couple of years

        -7

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        • Zellie

          252d

          @AnxietyGirl79 I'm sorry about your son, but the risks of myocarditis are much higher from Covid than from the vaccine. As for your niece, again, I'm sorry, but why do you believe it was connected to the vaccine?

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        • Neuco

          252d

          @AnxietyGirl79 I'm sorry for your loss, but there was even more risk of the same things happening (or far worse to your son) without the vaccination. In addition, there's not even proof it was the vaccination that caused either thing.

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        • Booka

          246d

          @AnxietyGirl79 My condolences! I'm hearing stories like yours more and more.

          -2

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    • AnxietyGirl79

      256d

      My daughter's dad forced her to get it at 13 and it caused a lot of issues with her reproductive system, I'm sure it's different for most and most don't experience these issues but my daughter did and it's been horrible for her

      -6

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      • 100Percent_K

        243d

        @AnxietyGirl79 you can have a lot of repro issues regardless of the vaccine. I have endo & PCOS both not caused by the vaccine. It’s important to remember correlation does not always equal causation.

        12

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    • Scorpio.Queen

      256d

      I don't know, I've done a lot of research about a new autoimmune disease I developed after having my daughter in 2019. A lot of research I've done comes back to this shot. Doctors ask me all the time who in my family has it because it's supposed to be hereditary but I've asked grandparents, Aunt's and Uncles, parents and cousins and nobody has ever heard of anyone having it in the family. The research I've done points to this shot. I'm actually thinking twice about giving it to my daughter. I'm provax but this one has me 2nd guessing.

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      • Zellie

        252d

        @Scorpio.Queen What autoimmune disorder do you believe is linked to the HPV vaccine?

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        • AnaDan

          162d

          @Zellie POTS, and other dysautonomias, are very well established and linked to the HOV vaccine. Go sit on PubMed dot gov for awhile. These links are well known and easy to access.

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      • Neuco

        252d

        @Scorpio.Queen That's not how autoimmune conditions work. The vaccine could have triggered it's onset, yes, but it could not have created the genes from no where. It's somewhere in your genetics.

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        • AnaDan

          162d

          @Neuco wrong. Not all autoimmune disorders are genetic.

          -3

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      • Blondiegirl

        249d

        @Scorpio.Queen don’t put life in jeopardy

        -1

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      • BeeHappy

        235d

        @Scorpio.Queen which autoimmune disorder?

        1

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    • ladedadedum

      254d

      False. I vaccinate both of my children. I also work in a pharmacy and know the pros and cons of vaccines. Gardasil has benefits yes, but MANY people have had severe side effects from this vaccine. My oldest has had all of his vaccines with the exception of Gardasil. My youngest will not her the rest of the series of MMR due to a reaction from the first shot. He ran a fever of 104 for 3 Days, broke out into a full body rash, and quit talking for almost a year. Do not come on here talking as if we are ignorant for choosing what we feel is best for our children. You can post all you want from the FDA website about the safety of gardasil. They approve things all the time and then 20 years later there are lawsuits due to the side effects or issues people had from those fda approved drugs.

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      • Zellie

        252d

        @ladedadedum How was your child's language difficulties related to the vaccine?

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        • TexAss

          250d

          @Zellie Fevers, even when caused by a vaccine, cause brain damage.

          -1

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    • Bubba_Mayberry

      253d

      I felt like crap after this shot last month. But I’m fine now

      4

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    • KJ_

      253d

      I recommend ignoring the adverse reactions, some of which might have been mental due to knowing about them. I cannot tell you how scary it was to wait 6 months to retest after they found “suspicious tissue” on a pap that could have been cancer. HPV vaccines can literally prevent cancer. It’s the only vaccine that does anything like that.

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      • CaramelMixedHoney

        249d

        @KJ_ There's fruit that does the same thing.

        -6

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    • MothMorgue

      253d

      I’m at an extremely high risk for cancer so I decided to get it as an adult. My mom was an anti-vaxxer and refused to let me get it as a kid. I haven’t had any serious reactions to it. I get my second dose next month.

      16

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    • clarinugget

      253d

      I’m fairly sure I’ve gotten it. All I remember is that the injection site was VERY sore. I would recommend getting it in your non-dominant arm and taking any permitted painkillers as directed.

      6

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    • Katerina_Kosheka

      252d

      (I’m a woman) I got it when I was 12, no negative reactions at all. Turned out perfectly fine. So did both my brothers. I don’t think it’s the vaccine in general that causes symptoms, but maybe your child/you’re allergic to something? (I do not have any sources, as this is just me thinking. Please do not take any medical advice I say to heart and do your proper research first!)

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    • Lavendercatx

      250d

      Ive had it

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    • MrsHolland18

      249d

      Suffering from stage IIIC cervical cancer and let me tell you, I am an advocate for free testing and free immunizations for HPV!!! It was too late for me but ALL of my children will be getting this vaccine (4 boys)!!

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    • QuinnOMT

      247d

      I had the triple shot Gardasil as soon as it was out when I was still in school. Definitely recommend getting it, family history of uterine cancer on my mom's side and as a uterus-haver, needed to get it to lower my chances of also getting it. I'm also planning on talking to my gyn to see about having a total hysterectomy just in case (and no, I plan on having 0 children--if I want a kid later, there's a bunch in the system that need fostered/adopted and I just don't feel like adding to that) since there's a non-zero chance I could still develop it later and tbh the uterus upkeep is EXPENSIVE.

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    • AnimalBoy

      246d

      I got it as a young teen and only had very minor side effects, largely injection site pain. Not a big deal and I managed to be vaccinated shortly before I became sexually active so it was good timing.

      2

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    • IAmTired247

      246d

      I can't take it because my liver doesn't have the enzymes to break down the chemicals 😥

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    • MsDaisyMae

      246d

      I thought they were important. I got the gardisil, not the new 9. I took it at 16 before I was sexually active. I'm not sure

      2

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    • magic_harmony

      246d

      I had had an adverse reaction to a vaccine in the past. My mom is far from an anti-vaxxer and am fully vaccinated otherwise, but was worried about the side effects I could have so didn’t have me get the HPV vaccine when I was a teen. Just in general I’ve had weird symptoms especially ones that effect me psychologically when it comes to medication/certain illness in the past. Is it too late for me to get this at 21? Would it be worth to try and get it now? I feel like if that’s the case I want to make sure I wouldn’t be risking adverse affects now

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      • Goodvibez

        240d

        @magic_harmony i got the HPV vaccine when I was 21. My ob/gyn recommended it and I’m glad I got it

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    • CatAttack

      245d

      My parents didn’t give me the HPV vaccine and I got told a month ago I have it (most likely from my cheating ex). Now I’m at risk of cancer. I wish I could’ve had it when I was 14/15 because I’m scared everyday that I’m developing cancer

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      • Goodvibez

        240d

        @CatAttack same 😥

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    • kitajenn

      245d

      I'm a cervical cancer survivor, and am unable to get that shot, because of it. As serious as cancer is, that shot also holds a ton of side effects. I would never get that shot, based on side effects alone.

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    • tacobella

      244d

      Oral/mouth cancer in MEN specifically is a comorbitidity of HPV. You can get vaccinated before you get exposed as an early teen. :)

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    • gella10

      240d

      I am a woman, but I just got my 2nd dose of the HPV vaccine! If you are scared of needles, the needle does not hurt. There is a burning sensation for about 30 seconds, but for me the flu shot is worse than the HPV. I haven't had any side effects besides my lyme disease flaring up, but I bet most people would not have much trouble with it. This is based on my experience alone

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    • RaggedyRiver

      240d

      So I never got it when I was supposed to because my doctor never brought it up. At 24 years old what should I do?

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      • BeeHappy

        235d

        @RaggedyRiver it's highly recommended for everyone up to 26 now by the CDC's ACIP. So you can ask your doctor for it next time you go. I'm 30 but I'm asking a doctor about getting it tomorrow anyway because insurance might still cover it since I'm under 45.

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    • NotEnoughSpoons

      240d

      The first time I requested it, I was within the 26yo window, but my physician’s assistant said “it is useless if you are sexually active”, and didn’t give it to me. She was wrong! I missed my first window because of that, but kept safe, and luckily was able to get it when I was 31 when they expanded the age! No reactions and I feel much better knowing I have it.

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    • KikiKiss

      233d

      Hpv literally saved me from getting cervical cancer, I got hpv from a partner who wasn't even aware they had it and passed it to me and it was horrifying to learn I had abnormal cells that could have been cancerous in my cervix, luckily getting all my hpv vaccines in my teens spared me.

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    • A_knee

      228d

      Cancer is no joke guys, it’s better to tough it out with some crappy side effects than deal with something significantly worse. I’ve been vaxxed fully through, I only really ever had a sore arm and felt a bit under the weather, but I’m happy I did!

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    • MsDaisyMae

      228d

      I chose to get mine at 16 because of my pediatrician recommended it. I wanted to protect myself. I give thanks to my past self.

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    • RaeRae22

      227d

      Most people already have HPV in the us. Most people don't even know.

      0

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    • bbgdaryl

      227d

      I have HPV and it's not fun! Get your vaccine if you can.

      0

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    • Kittypop

      200d

      I got all of my Gardasil shots. I remember!

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    • Kadair

      163d

      I have never taken it as far as I know. I am much older and shot records were not kept, all we did when we were little was line up at school for our vaccinations, hearing, eye, and back exams. I found that they did not keep shot records when I was little now that I am college. I had to retake my MMR and Heb B shots even though my blood work showed I had previously had the shots.

      0

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      • Kadair

        163d

        @Kadair I am also to old to have the HPV shots.

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        • Mouse12144

          162d

          @Kadair I’m 26 and just had all three doses of mine this year ( I have swollen, lymph nodes afterwards) however, definitely worth it, side-effects (dizziness) and all. Yes I had to pay for mine it’s not cheap but it’s better to have to pay. I’m not there at all. I get cancer, my aunt had cervical cancer and she Had a hell of a time with it.

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    • Princessmommy6

      162d

      I got my sons vaccinated because my stepdad at age 65 had throat cancer from HPV. It can go undetected more in men and show up later in life as some sort of cancer. I understand the concerns, I had mine but chose to do it and my boys are fine

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☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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