We ve often discussed the safety and benefits of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. We ve stressed how effective it is in preventing cervical cancer, as well as anal and oral cancer and genital warts in both men and women. We ve explained why it s best to be vaccinated before becoming sexually active, since the vaccine is much more effective in people who haven t yet been exposed to the virus. (This is just about inevitable within the first few years of sexually activity). However, we d like now to emphasize the importance of both public education and gender parity with regard to this vaccine both points that are argued compellingly by Lawrence O. Gostin of the O Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University.
In his Commentary in this week s JAMA, Gostin makes a cogent case for launching health education campaigns about HPV and the vaccine before resorting to the kind of compulsory vaccination programs that can raise the hackles of anyone who s uninformed, potentially leading to backlash against vaccines in general. He also explains why a wider policy of vaccinating both boys and girls against the virus would address the fact that both men and women can carry and transmit HPV, and both are at risk for its many adverse consequences.
ACSH agrees with Gostin s rationale and his understanding of a vaccination that has become too much of a political gambit, when it should remain in the realm of public health. We encourage you to read his op-ed in its entirety.
