With the development of modern medicine, it only seems logical to take advantage of any and all vaccines available to human beings. Grade school students periodically receive required immunizations for diseases like polio, measles, and hepatitis B among others. It only seems reasonable to add to this list of vaccines as they progressively become available.
Recently, Governor Jerry Brown signed a law that lets minors as young as 12 years old to receive a vaccination for human papilloma virus, commonly referred to as HPV, without parental consent. A push to make this vaccine a requirement for all female students has stirred up some controversy and opposition. While the vaccine can potentially evade countless cases of cervical and other cancers, conservative groups are convinced that being immune from an STD would encourage teenagers to be more inclined toward a promiscuous lifestyle.
Many healthcare professionals recommend the vaccine for girls 12 years and up. “I went to see my doctor a few days ago to get a vaccine for whooping cough, and she asked me if I wanted the HPV vaccine as well, “ said Yeji Seo, a junior at Beckman High School. “I wanted to get it because it seemed like a good idea to, but after my mom heard about it, she told me that I didn’t need it.” It isn’t unusual for parents of young girls to consider the vaccine irrelevant and unnecessary. After all, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
While it is only recommended to teenage girls, measures are currently being taken in an effort to make the vaccine a requirement. “I don’t think the HPV vaccine should be mandatory,” said Deborah Park, a graduate student at UCI. “I think parents and their daughters have the right to make their own informed decisions about getting the vaccine or not.” Parents do tend to have their minor child’s best interest in mind and should be well aware of their lifestyle and social tendencies.
While the concern of opposing parents and groups is understandable, it seems illogical for some students who simply see it as a measure of prevention. “Getting the vaccine can’t hurt. It’s not like I’m going to become a different person just because I got a shot,” said Kayley Saade, a freshman at Oxford Academy. I probably wouldn’t think twice about it, just like I don’t ever think about having gotten my vaccination for the measles.”
While advocates of the HPV vaccine are only trying to avoid a problematic future in the healthcare world, it seems that lifestyle choices should be more influenced by strong parenting rather than a vaccine. Ultimately, the vaccine does not prevent all STDs, only one.
