Lacey Dietz Should Vaccination for HPV Be Mandated for Teenage Girls?

Biol 1090-F14
Mandatory vaccination for teenage girls for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is very
controversial. Those who are for the mandate believe it to be ethical to prevent suffering and
harm. Those against the mandate believe it to be premature for many reasons. So, should
vaccination for HPV be mandated for teenage girls? There are social implications to both
perspectives.
Those who favor implementing a mandate for the HPV vaccine believe that HPV can be
compared to polio. The compulsory vaccination program for polio was successful in eradicating
polio. There is a hope that a compulsory vaccination program for HPV would also be successful.
Also, beneficence and nonmaleficence is considered by those in favor of a HPV vaccine
mandate, because we do not live in an ideal society. We would all love to think that teenagers
are going to abstain from sexual activity until marriage, but that just is not the case. HPV is
believed to bring suffering and harm and therefore should be in the governments control to
implement a vaccine.
Autonomy and justice are also used in the debate for the HPV vaccine. It is thought that
the government can step in and protect children/teens from this virus, if parents will not do so.
If there was a mandate for this vaccine, it would give everyone a fair opportunity to reduce the
harm that HPV causes (pg 24).
Then, there are those who oppose the mandate of the HPV vaccine, because it is
thought to be premature. One reason it is premature, is because the long-term safety and the
effectiveness of the vaccine are unknown. Also, HPV is not a disease that all children have an
Lacey Dietz Should Vaccination for HPV Be Mandated for Teenage Girls? Biol 1090-F14
equal risk of transmitting and contracting from one another in a school setting, which
disqualifies the comparison to polio.
There is also a good chance that there would be backlash from the public, if the HPV
vaccine is mandated. The government would be overstepping boundaries by trumping a
parent's rights.
I am against a mandatory HPV vaccine for teenage girls. I believe that if a teenager is
having unprotected sex, they should be more worried about pregnancy and HIV, rather than
HPV. There are consequences to risky behavior; however, the entire herd should not have to be
vaccinated because of others poor choices.
Parents are not harming their children by choosing to not vaccinate them against HPV.
The children are harming themselves, by making poor decisions. To solve the justice issue, the
HPV vaccine can be included in covered vaccines by insurance companies, but should not be
required. That way, it is available to everyone.
There is not an immediate crisis that leads to an emergency implementation of a
mandate for the vaccine. There is time to do more testing to ensure that the long-term effects
do not outweigh the benefits of the vaccine. Plus, we do not know how long the vaccine is
effective.
The social implications of my perspective and opinion are a society that can make
decisions for themselves (or their underage children). A parent can weigh the risk or likelihood
of sexual behavior for their children and the risks associated with the vaccine, versus the low
Lacey Dietz Should Vaccination for HPV Be Mandated for Teenage Girls? Biol 1090-F14
risk of cervical cancer (in the United States). Having the HPV vaccine available and covered by
insurance companies, can lower the risk of cervical cancer for those that utilize the opportunity.
However, those who do not make use of the HPV vaccine availability can make good life choices
by practicing abstinence, safe sex, or taking the low risk of getting cervical cancer, even if HPV is
contracted.

Reference:
Belk, C., Maier, V. (2014) Should Vaccination for HPV Be Mandated for Teenage Girls? Taking
Sides Readings, pg 24.