hpv vaccine 1 of 3 shots

**Darling** · 11-12-2011 02:53 PM

I just remembered that nearly 5 years ago I followed the crowd and received 1 of the 3 shots. I never went back for the next two. I don't really remember why. Lately I have heard many negative comments about the vaccine. My concern is that I may be at some sort of risk. By only receiving one shot does that expose me to the virus? Or possibly make my risk of cancer higher than if I had finished the shots?

**ItsASecret** · 11-12-2011 04:20 PM

Having any shot means you are being injected with a 'dead' form of whatever virus they are trying to protect against. Injecting the actual virus (it does not hurt you because it is technically not able to) is the way you boost your immune system. There will be a ton of false information about anything especially vaccines, because some individuals are simply terrified of anything to do with medicine so they will make everything and anything seem absolutely horrible. The fact is these things go through rigorous testing, there are always side effects with any medication and those side effects are found out and noted far prior to actually receiving a vaccine. Any person can read random information on the website because a ton of "boo we hate medicine" information is there, if a person wants to believe that then it is fine but if there is evidence to support no cause for worry then a person should be taking that into account and not solely a negative viewpoint website. If a big name company believes there is cause for concern there will be a subsequent noting of this in the media, on their website, in the paper etc. If not, then side effects can be attributed to the side effects they already knew of (and hence already did studies of). Having a vaccine though does not mean you will be getting cancer.

**Darling** · 11-12-2011 05:08 PM

Thank you for your reply, I'm not suggesting that vaccines can give you cancer. I just got scared that I was injected with only one part of the series and was unsure if that could effect me. It's been 5 years and everything has been normal. I hoped that maybe someone had information about what could happen if you didn't follow up. If by not finishing is it as if I never started or am I partly covered? I feel so silly bringing it up after so long? Are the second and third a buster shot? No one explained the shots to me?

**ItsASecret** · 11-12-2011 05:36 PM

It's been 5 years and everything has been normal. I hoped that maybe someone had information about what could happen if you didn't follow up.

Not much could happen. I mean without the full three doses it just means your immune system was not exposed to the whole plethora they offered. You are essentially partially covered, the three shots just means it will take less time for your immunity to be built. Not everyone went to get all three shots which the hospitals and companies knew would happen because not everyone even remembered to due to daily life. Each exposure of the shot does act like a "booster shot" per-se, each time simply exposing you to the virus in order to boost your immune system. Eventually though it is possible to build up enough immunity given time and given the first exposure. I cannot think of anything long term that would be a consequence of having only one shot, if there were going to be significant side effects you would have noticed them within that first week to a month of having the shot. And even those side effects are mild and can be common within those who received the shot.