Wow - the more I hear the more I like this vaccine.

The type that will be given to girls in the UK is the one that prevents against the two main viruses.

The reason they give not to innoculate boys is that the viruses cause "no long term effects" (need some sort of shrug icon)

Here in the UK we do get reminders for our pap screens, funnily I have been receiving them every five years and was told at my recent appointment that it should be every 3 years, but that from the age of 49 the gap between appointments is every 5 years...how come I get caught in the cross over - will be 49 at the time I am due for the next one

Thanks for all the info you folks have given...I will pass it on to my daughters friends parents too, am sure it will put their minds at rest too.

Well cancer of the penis usually has other causes I think. Its possible for a man to be a carrier of a virus, which gives him no health problems, but can if he has unprotected sex with a woman, cause serious future health problems for her.

Pax you should be getting a reminder notice for Paps, I know I do. There is a national register and they send out a letter. One time I received my letter, but didn't get around to having the test. Six months later I received another reminding me my test was now 'overdue'.

Have you moved or changed doctor? Perhaps your reminders are being sent to an old address. Next time you visit the doctor ask about it. I am pretty sure the register information comes from the IMVS, not necesssarily your GP.

Worth looking into.

I'm older than you, but by the time I was in my 20's, I've had a yearly pap acreening and breast exam and film. As one of my doctor's said, women are the Cadillacs while men are the Fords. I'm not taking any chances.

Hi Tutti, (its old Tass here by the way) when we were in Mackay, believe me the Doctors at our surgery didn't seem to give a hoot. I had one lovely Dr. who would check when I had my last pap smear, but never ever did I ever get a reminder, even though I was in one home for 3 years. and I've shifted again since my last one last year, so more than likely this is why. (ack I hate shifting).I find it strange that no Doctor has ever told me I'd get a reminder notice though.

Hiya Tass, welcome back!

I think if you have ever returned an even slightly abnormal pap, you are added to a central register for follow up, but is certainly worth discussing with your GP at the next visit.

When this vaccine first came out, I made sure that my 11 yr. old daughter got it. She said the shot site hurt more afterward than other vaccines, but not too bad. Now I'm having to schedule my grand-daughter who turns 11 soon.

I do wish that this vaccine had been out when I was younger. It's not always through wrong actions of a girl/female that causes her to contract HPV. It happens in marriages as well, as I learned the hard way.

What isn't being explained to these young girls often enough is that this vaccine will not vaccinate them against STD's. When I had my daughter vaccinated I had to sit her down and have a serious talk about what the vaccine did/does protect her from and what it doesn't. And of course the best way to NOT contract the STD's that the vaccine doesn't cover.

Thanks Annie

That was what was being said here too...that a lot of girls thought they were protected from other things once they had been vaccinated.

I dont know exactly when this is being started here in the UK but we will hopefully get more info and then I can have a chat with my daughter about it.