The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the HPV vaccination be administered to 11 or 12 year old children. HPV, which the CDC says effects most people who are sexually active, is best combatted with the vaccine and the vaccine is most affective when administered before a person becomes sexually active.
When the vaccine first became available in 2006, some states moved to make it compulsory for girls entering middle school. This effort was combatted by many parent groups. Some parents worry that introducing their children to STD prevention methods when they are young will get them thinking about sex or will prompt promiscuous behavior at a young age.
According to The American Association of Pediatrics (AAP), children vaccinated against HPV have not shown any increase in promiscuity at a young age. According to the AAP, the rates for teen pregnancy, STI reporting, and contraception counseling are no higher in youth who have been vaccinated against HPV than their unvaccinated peers.
The CDC reported that in January of 2014 about 79 million Americans were infected with HPV with roughly 14 million people becoming infected every year.
Sources
HPV STD Fact Sheet. Center for Disease Control. Retrieved February 13, 2015 http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
Colgrove, James, Ph.D., M.P.H. (2006) The Ethics and Politics of Compulsory HPV Vaccination New England Journal of Medicine
HPV Vaccination Does Not Lead to Increased Sexual Activity. The American Association of Pediatrics. Retrieved February 13, 2015. http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/HPV-Vaccination-Does-Not-Lead-to-Increased-Sexual-Activity.aspx
HPV STD Fact Sheet. Center for Disease Control. Retrieved February 13, 2015 http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm#a7
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Hello Margaret,
Indeed, the HPV vaccine can protect our children against the HPV, particularly the strain that can lead to cervical cancer. If only the doubting parents would stop thinking that protection leads to promiscuity.
Regards,
February 16, 2015 - 9:14amMaryann
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