The HPV vaccine: is it worth it?

The opportunity to help prevent adolescent girls from cervical cancer as well as other diseases associated with genital human papillomavirus has arrived. The vaccination for HPV that has just recently become an issue in our society is an excellent idea; I believe that it is in the best interest of girls all over the world to receive the vaccination.

Poll results from:

http://cancer.about.com/gi/pages/poll.htm?linkback=http://cancer.about.com&poll_id=8270337083&poll=1&submit1=Submit+Vote

However, many parents do not share the same opinion. Many have questions and concerns about the side effects that are yet to be discovered, associated with the vaccination, and the effect the vaccination will have on the teen’s morals and values. Though these are valid arguments, this is a situation where I believe as a society we must `bite the bullet`` in order to help save the lives of females, starting at a young age.

One argument against the vaccination is that it will promote sexual behaviour at a younger age and may affect a child’s values and morals. A vaccination that is going to help prevent diseases caused by sexual activity will not promote sex. The vaccination will make the youth aware that there are consequences when it comes to sexual activity and that though this vaccination helps prevent some, it does not prevent all sexually transmitted diseases. I understand that different cultures and religions have different beliefs, but sex is everywhere, in the media and community, and it is hard to keep away from children. Promoting the vaccination in schools will not promote the idea of sex any more than what children may have already been introduced to in other ways. If parents are that concerned about their daughter`s views and beliefs changing about sex than they should have discussions with their children about why they have received the vaccination, its role and purpose. Sex is everywhere; it is better to have an awkward discussion about the vaccination and its purpose than to look back in ten years and regret that you didn`t take action.

HPV Vaccine Information Video


The price of the vaccination is expensive, approximately between four hundred and five hundred dollars depending on insurances. However, it is a small price to pay in order to prevent and possibly save a life from cervical cancer. Although there are survivors of cervical cancer, these survivors are often infertile. The injection can help save the life of a teen as well as allow for the opportunity for that teen to be able to reproduce once she is at that point of her life. In North America, most schools are going to be providing the HPV vaccination for free with parental consent. Why not take advantage and eliminate most of the risks of sexual diseases?

There is still a lot of research to be done in regards to the genital human papillomavirus. The virus can also affect males as well, but there is yet to be a vaccination for them. I believe that parents, and young women of all ages should take advantage of the vaccination. For it is in their best interest to help secure their health and prevent them from some of the diseases involved with sexual activity. It is an issue involving the old cliché "It`s better to be safe, than sorry".