Do HPV vaccines promote promiscuous behavior?

After the development of the HPV, there have been increased campaigns for women and more so the young ones to undertake it. Controversy has emerged overtime on whether these shots that protect against cervical cancer lead to increased cases of promiscuity. The thought that vaccination may lead to a change in behavior has two theoretical links. The first is that by minimizing the risk of a sexually transmitted disease, people especially the adolescents may assume that they are protected against such transmitted diseases. The other link that forms a common concern among parents is that the vaccine gives an early permission that gives them the approval to start having early sex (American Academy Pediatrics, 2014).The issue at hand is the worry that offering the vaccine may encourage sexual activity especially among the young people. Research has presented evidence contrary to this, given that having sex is a personal choice taken seriously by people especially among the teens. This shows that despite the concern arising from the use of HPV vaccine, there is no evidence to relate the use of the vaccine and increased cases of promiscuous behavior. The choice to engage in sexual behavior even at young age cannot be attributed to a single dose of vaccines, given that such individuals are informed that the vaccine does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases.  Furthermore, it is more about cervical cancer than the about sex. Research has also shown that vaccinated adolescent girls are not more likely to acquire other sexually transmitted infections than their peers who are vaccinated (The guardian, 2012). Promiscuity is a personal choice which does not depend on such a vaccination.

Reference

The guardian, (2012).HPV vaccine not linked to sexual promiscuity in girls, study finds. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/oct/15/hpv-vaccine-link-sexual-promiscuity

American Academy Pediatrics, (2014).The HPV Series: Controversies around the HPV Vaccine – Sex and Promiscuity Issue 6: Retrieved from: http://www.mdaap.org/The%20HPV%20series-6.pdf