Interest groups are expressing their concern regarding the new HPV vaccine, Gardasil.  DC lawmakers are discussing whether the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine should be a legal requirement for young girls in order to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer.

The vaccine is said to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases in females caused by certain types of genital human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world and in the United States. The vaccine, Gardasil®, protects against four HPV types, which together cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. 

The American College of Pediatricians and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) claim that the vaccine costs more and is less effective in preventing cervical cancer than regular pap smears and condom use.

Parents want to know if the vaccine is safe and ethically advisable and lawmakers are concerned for overall public safety.

HPV is not a contagious disease, such as measles, rubella and chicken pox, rather it is a communicable disease, or behaviorally transmitted like HIV.  HPV is a non-highly contagious disease and thus does not pose the same public health threat as a highly contagious disease such as chickenpox. 

Many parents are acutely aware that although their daughters may refrain from behaviors associated with the transmission of HPV, their daughters’ sexual partner may not have maintained the same level of safety.  

Please contact our bioethicists with any questions 212-297-6109