Would you recommend getting your child vaccinated with the Gardasil vaccine (HPV)?
Yes—absolutely. I strongly recommend the Gardasil 9 vaccine for all children, regardless of gender. It’s one of the most effective tools we have to prevent cancer. And the earlier we give it, the better it works.
Here’s why: HPV (human papillomavirus) is a very common virus that spreads through sex and even some types of skin-to-skin contact. It’s linked to cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and throat cancers, along with genital warts. While many people clear HPV on their own, those who don’t can develop dangerous, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
The Gardasil 9 vaccine protects against nine HPV strains, including the seven that cause the majority of HPV-related cancers.
Even more compelling:
4 out of 5 adults will get HPV in their lifetime
91% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV
13 million new HPV infections occur each year in the U.S.
Since the vaccine's introduction, HPV rates in teen women dropped 88%, and precancerous cervical changes fell by 40%
Despite all this, too many parents hesitate—often because the vaccine is associated with sexual activity. But getting the vaccine at ages 11–12 has nothing to do with sex—it’s about timing. At that age, kids mount the strongest immune response, which makes the vaccine most effective. It can be started as early as age 9, and if it’s started before age 15, your child only needs two doses. After that, it’s a three-shot series.
Another common misconception is that this is “just for girls.” But HPV doesn’t discriminate. Boys are at risk, too—especially for cancers of the throat, anus, and penis. Vaccinating boys helps protect them and reduces transmission across all genders.
I also want to be clear about the real-world impacts of not getting vaccinated. I’ve talked to so many friends and patients who were blindsided by an abnormal pap smear or needed procedures like a colposcopy or LEEP—treatments that can cause pain, fear, and even affect future fertility. We can prevent so many of those moments with this one simple action: vaccinating early.
It’s safe. It’s effective. And it’s saving lives.
But stigma still gets in the way. Providers often skip the conversation—especially with boys, or with parents who seem uncomfortable. But avoiding the topic doesn’t protect your child. Vaccinating them does.
So yes—I recommend Gardasil for your child. And if your provider doesn’t bring it up? You bring it up.
Because this is about more than prevention—it’s about empowerment. It’s about protecting your child from unnecessary issues later in life. It's about giving them a safer, healthier future.
And they deserve that.
For more information on this topic read the following articles:
Texas Childrens: Why your child needs the HPV vaccine, as told by a nurse
Kids Health: Your Child's Vaccines: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
