HPV vaccine school entry requirements: Confronting the myths, misperceptions and misgivings

This article will address the primary objections that opponents cite when discussing whether to include HPV vaccine as a school entry requirement. The Background will outline the importance of vaccination to personal and public health, the influence that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has on national vaccine policy, the HPV infection, vaccine, and recommendations, and how state legislative bodies have responsed to the vaccine. Each argument in opposition to requiring the vaccine for school entry will be addressed including: (1) government intrusion, (2) infection transmission, (3) sexual disinhibition, and (4) undermining abstinence only messages. The article concludes by asserting that HPV vaccine should be required for school entry