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RinTinTin 
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 Topic: I was so shocked I was speechless...
Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:05pm |
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...when our neighbour, who is a Primary School teacher was telling me about how her and another teacher were laughing about one of their female students who came to them in tears after the Gardisal (Cervical Cancer) Vaccine talk.
Apparently the child was petrified that if she didn't get the vaccine she'd get genital warts.
The teachers were laughing because they thought the vaccine was actually for ACTUAL Cervical Cancer.
After I pointed out to her that it is actually for the Human Papaloma Virus (sp?) (Genital Warts) which has been labelled as a main cause for Cervical Cancer, she literally went dead quiet and blank.
She had NO IDEA, none at all!
I found this sooooo shocking. Irrespective of which side of the fence you're on with the vaccine debate, don't you think it's important for the teachers at your childs school to know what it is and why?
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LouD
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Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:09pm |
That is disgusting to not have any idea about the vaccines they would be encouraging their students to have and to be laughing at a child regardless..........hope they get warts.... 
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MissAngel
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Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:10pm |
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Eeerrrr yes! That's pretty crap that they were having a laugh about her too! poor wee thing.
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Alex, Thomas and Lily 
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Peanut
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Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:17pm |
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I will take the other side here. I don't actually think its that bad that they don't know. They should not be encouraging kids to have the vaccine, it is just happening in the school...it does not involve the teacher.
I think its important that teachers know where to send the children for furthur information but do not believe its the teachers role to educate the child re vaccines - that is the parents job!
I think its crap if they were laughing infront of the child...that is completely unprofessional.
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JessDub
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Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:25pm |
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I hope the teachers weren't laughing at the girl, that's bloody mean.
And it's slack, but it's not really a teacher's place to know. Teaching and healthcare are different things. Presumably the vaccine talk was given by a health professional??
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Emmecat
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Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:44pm |
That's terrible! I agree that teachers should leave it up to the health professionals and parents to discuss this (and other) vaccines. If they're gonna be talking about that in school then I hope they also mention that lots of sexual partners also presents as high risk for cervical cancer  No shot is gonna 'cure' that. Grrrrrr.
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freckle
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Posted: 16 March 2010 at 5:57pm |
 Peanut wrote:
I will take the other side here. I don't actually think its that bad that they don't know. They should not be encouraging kids to have the vaccine, it is just happening in the school...it does not involve the teacher.
I think its important that teachers know where to send the children for furthur information but do not believe its the teachers role to educate the child re vaccines - that is the parents job!
I think its crap if they were laughing infront of the child...that is completely unprofessional. |
I agree with all of the above 
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mum to 3 lovely girls :D
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kebakat
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Posted: 16 March 2010 at 6:39pm |
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kellie
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Posted: 16 March 2010 at 8:14pm |
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The teachers should at least have the bare basics about what the vaccine is for. I mean, even I know, and I don't have teenage kids.
If something is rolled out in schools, not just vaccines, but anything, then I would hope a briefing is given to the teachers. As obviously as the OP has just told us, they are sure to get questions.
I think it is terrible that they were laughing about it. Shame on their undies though, they were the misinformed ones.
Edit: I just saw that this was a primary school student, so a little bit different. I still think it was horrible that they were laughing though
Edited by kellie
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peanut butter
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Posted: 16 March 2010 at 8:22pm |
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RinTinTin
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Posted: 16 March 2010 at 9:09pm |
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I forgot to say in the OP that even though it's a Primary School, it's a FULL Primary school which is quite common around here and means that it goes right through to Intermediate age.
Yes, the talk is given by the school nurse and a "side kick" of some description I believe.
I do think the teachers need to at least know the bare basics as they are the ones who build relationships with these kids and the kids tend to ask the teachers the questions first and ask their parents and/or health professionals later.
The teacher should be able to at least say "It's ok don't panic. This is what it's for and you can go "here" to find out more information". You know, to at least ease the initial worries of the kid.
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Peanut
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Posted: 16 March 2010 at 9:17pm |
As a teacher myself , I can't belive how much is being handed over to the teachers as being their job e.g swimming lessons, personal hygiene etc. It is def not a teachers place to promote or answer questions on a vaccine, esp a primary teacher who is not teaching sex education. That is most def for a medical professional or parents! Yes, they would have been briefed on what was happening in the school and no doubt been told not to answer any questions as any misinformation they give is the schools liability.
As a teacher, I would refer a child else where to talk about issues in regards to it.
Yes, they should know info from watching the news etc but TBH if it doesn't apply to them they may not take an active interest in it.
I know there is some things I know little about as they are not in my teaching area and of no interest to me.
Emmecat, I teach health in secondary schools and we do teach about multiple partners etc. The program is actually quite good depending on the school.
Yip, I have gone slightly off topic 
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emz
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Posted: 16 March 2010 at 9:39pm |
I agree with everything Peanut has said So won't say much more on the matter, except the laughing thing is what gets me - although I guess you take that in context and might not be the same if you were there (not excusing, but if you were a fly on the wall in our staffroom you'd be a bit more leniant...)
The teacher's job, IMO is to direct any questions to outside resources, booklets, the internet, parents and health workers. It is not in our job description (and DEF not at primary) to give info about that. It is however, our job to make the child feel comfortable regardless of the question.
Edited by emz
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kellie
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Posted: 16 March 2010 at 10:38pm |
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If teachers are considered guardians of children whilst they are at school they should at least be aware about what the child is being vaccinated for (ie in parentis). I am sure most parents won't be there while they are jabbed and are putting their faith in the school to look out for their kid.
That is just my opinion though and I don't mean any offense to anyone.
Edit: This is in regards to teachers of schools who have the Gardasil vaccination program in place.
Edited by kellie
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freckle
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Posted: 17 March 2010 at 7:20am |
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I think teachers have enough to do as it is and would really rather they concentrate on that. I see their jobs as so full on - having to keep up with where 30+ kids are functioning in every subject as well as keeping up to date with an ever changing curriculum. I wouldn't want the teacher answering any questions about the vaccine as it it our decision to provide our daughter with the information we want her to know regarding it. I think these days teachers end up having to do far far to much parenting...
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Bizzy
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Posted: 17 March 2010 at 8:22am |
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OMG stupid teachers! what is the world coming to when the people teaching our children arent very bright to begin with. They should have known better themselves, after all its been topical for quite some time now!
just re read what you said and saw it was a teacher recounting a story to you - i hope that they didnt laugh about the girl in front of her or her classmates. that would be very rude and unprofessional.
Edited by Bizzy
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SpecialK
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Posted: 17 March 2010 at 9:09am |
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What worries me is that if the teachers didn't know what the vaccine was for, they may have passed on the wrong info on to the student... and regardless what you think about the vaccine, if your student comes to you scared and crying I think it is the teacher's responsibility to reassure and at least provide correct information.
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Emmecat
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Posted: 17 March 2010 at 9:16am |
Peanut- that's good to know the health programme in schools has improved lol. I worry that people will see this vaccine as a cure all instead of a possible aid.....no point the kids getting it then having lots of sex with different partners
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mumtooboys
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Posted: 17 March 2010 at 12:33pm |
JessDub wrote:
Teaching and healthcare are different things. |
So if that is the case then why are they giving it AT school?
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flakesitchyfeet
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Posted: 17 March 2010 at 12:41pm |
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Because it's a surefire way of reaching the masses.
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I was so shocked I was speechless...
