The human papillomavirus virus (HPV) will affect 75% to 85%of males and females in their lifetime, and some cases will result in cervical,
vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females and genital warts in males and females. HPV is transferred with any genital contact with someone with HPV, and some cases are
passed unknowingly because the virus may have no symptoms. There is currently a
vaccine that can help prevent these diseases, and it is typically given to 11
and 12 year old boys and girls before sexually activity begins. Why then are some parents refusing the vaccine?
Some parents argue that their child is not sexually active, so they don’t need
it. Others have labeled it the “slut vaccine” for only sexually active teenage
girls. Parents need to wake up and smell
the hormones. By their 19th
birthday, 70% of teenagers will have intercourse. Refusing the vaccine does not make your child
refuse sex. In comparison, how is this
different from the Hepatitis B vaccine, another sexually transmitted disease? Getting
vaccinated before there is any question of sexually activity will ease parental
concern of safe sex and will prevent any accidents.
