Hester about the HPV shot: ‘Of course you have your son vaccinated’ | Columns & Opinion

good wrong

“I didn’t hesitate for a second when my now 17-year-old daughter was invited for an HPV vaccination. Significantly reduce her chance of being the silent killer among the cancers? Naturally! Admittedly, it was a bit of a switch, thinking about the possible consequences of her future sex life with such a young girl, but oh so important. 80 to 90% are infected with HPV at least once in their life. And that usually ends well, but not always. If it’s wrong, it’s badly wrong.

Sleepless nights

When you get symptoms in the case of cervical cancer, the disease has often already taken hold. I know plenty of (young) women who have had to deal with troubled cells in their lives. That pre-cancerous stage is also more than enough to give you sleepless nights and terror. Are all troubled cells really removed? And what about my wish to have children? What if something continues to grow or spread? You don’t want to have to think about that.

disinformation

At the time, I was annoyed by the countless ghost stories of anti-vaxxers on social media. They don’t care how proven safe or effective (87% protection in this case) a vaccine is; they just don’t believe in it and thrive on stuffing that disbelief with disinformation.

Evil yes, because statistically they will undoubtedly persuade someone not to vaccinate someone who subsequently develops cancer and either has to go through an unnecessarily debilitating disease process or dies prematurely.

Funny

And from now on, boys also get the chance to protect themselves against HPV cancer. Thierry Baudet doesn’t understand that, boys don’t have a uterus, after all. In an attempt to be funny, he mentions on Twitter that vaccinations are also becoming ‘more inclusive’. First of all, Cher: there is nothing funny about HPV cancer. But don’t forget: This form of cancer can also get men in the mouth and pharynx, penis and anus.

Text continues below tweet.

Sheer nonsense

I don’t want you to withhold a vaccination from your child with which you can prevent so much stress, pain and therefore perhaps a premature death at a later age. The vaccine has been proven safe, has hardly any side effects, has a long-lasting effect and is, as previously written, very effective.

Vaccinating both boys and girls can also contribute to the creation of herd immunity. I know; for notorious anti-vaxxers all sheer nonsense, but for anyone with a bit of sense enough reason to have that shot.

Peniscancer

Finally, for all men (and women) who do not take the trouble to delve into the matter: more and more young men are diagnosed with penile cancer, which may require a (partial) penile amputation to save a life. Close your eyes for a few seconds and imagine that. Will you give that to your son? No, surely?”

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