The Pros And Cons Of The HPV Vaccine

The human papillomavirus virus (HPV) affects more than 80 percent of sexually active men and women and is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. Many types of HPV cause only minor symptoms but a few are of high-risk and can lead to cancer if left untreated. However, within the past 10 years, a vaccine called Gardasil has been created in order to help protect against four types of HPV. With this great discovery, also come significant drawbacks. Historically, vaccines have been a highly controversial topic among U.S. citizens and have been in the spotlight for many years in a negative light. Debates have risen as to whether vaccines are a matter of individual choice, parental choice, or state rights. However, when it comes

Support for legal requirements for this vaccine is strongly influenced by the perception of HPV as a women’s health issue. In Washington, a bipartisan group of female legislators, Women in Government, made a push to make the HPV vaccination required in all states. Because of the severe consequences, the group has recommended that the vaccine be accessible and affordable and an urgency to create an effort to maximize the use of the vaccine through policy means has been created (Colgrove, 2006). Numerous instances of the HPV vaccination have made its way into politics. Since 2006, “at least 42 states and territories have introduced legislation to: require the vaccine, fund or educate the public or school children about the HPV Vaccine” (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2012). For instance, in California, Bill AB499 just barely passed the legislature along party and ideological lines and mandates the vaccination of all 6th grade girls in the

The groups against the mandate are likely to use selective scanning to responds to the value of information and investing only the minimal amount of time and energy available for processing. When they see the words “sexually transmitted disease” they use the minimal energy and pull what first comes to mind, which usually against their moral values. They will take these words they do not agree with, without doing the research on what this vaccine could protect against, and give in a negative association. On the other hand, the health groups use active processing to try and make sense of a story and interpret the information according to needs. These groups know that this disease effects 20 million Americans and they want to work to provide the necessary resources, tools, and funds to protect citizens against this