HPV Controversy

New vaccines are always controversial, and the vaccine for HPV, Guardasil, is no different. In the United States, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV can also lead to cervical cancer. However, people are still reluctant to get their children immunized. One reason people are against the vaccine is that they don't like the idea of their child being forced to be vaccinated. Some states are creating mandates for the vaccination. The politics of which, are starting to overshadow the vaccine itself. Guardasil is on the recommended childhood immunization schedule, but mandating the vaccine may make parents even more reluctant to vaccinate their children. Also, parents don't want to admit that their child needs the vaccine, because they don't want to admit that their child is having unprotected sex. However, the 2005 High Risk Youth survey begs to differ in which 34% of teenagers admitted to not having used a condom last time they had sex. Parents are also cautious about the safety of the Guardasil, even though it has gone through the proper test and regulations that all new vaccines go through. Another worry to parents is that Guardasil does not protect against HPV for more than five years, which is currently the only analyzed duration. Although, if Guardasil does not protect for over five years, a booster dose would be an easy fix. There is also worry that the vaccine will encourage unprotected sex. This problem also has an easy fix, education. Pediatricians should discuss the vaccine with families, this presents an opportunity to educate the young adults getting the vaccine on STDs, teen pregnancy, and safe sex.