HPV Vaccine and sexual promiscuity concerns

Pediatrician Lawrence Ross, MD Infectious Disease Children's Hospital Los Angeles, discusses some of the concerns that parents may have about vaccinating their child for HPV including if it can lead to sexual promiscuity
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HPV Vaccine and sexual promiscuity concerns

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I think there's a lot of controversy about HPV vaccine for two reasons. Number one, I think people are always afraid when they hear a recommendation from the government that this is a good vaccine or a good medicine, because in the past, there's been some experiences that would suggest that the government may not have been right and that maybe there was some danger there. And so there is that element of skepticism about that and as a doctor I'm very concerned about that, as a parent as well. So I want to assure everyone that I wouldn't do anything that I wouldn’t do for my own children. Now the other thing that is a concern is whether by giving a vaccine that prevents sexually transmitted infections with a virus, that might promote sexual activity. And parents are afraid that their daughters are going to start having earlier sex. Well, we know one thing – that that's not true. And when we've looked at what's happened after we educate our girls and boys about the vaccine and the infection, in fact it's made them much more responsible in their behavior. And when they do have sex, it's more likely to be safer sexual practice, and it doesn't in any way make them start sex at an earlier age.

Pediatrician Lawrence Ross, MD Infectious Disease Children's Hospital Los Angeles, discusses some of the concerns that parents may have about vaccinating their child for HPV including if it can lead to sexual promiscuity

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Lawrence Ross, MD

Pediatrician, Infectious Disease, Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Dr. Lawrence A. Ross is a pediatrician and expert in infectious diseases.  He has been a full-time member of the Division of Infectious Disease at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles since 1978 and has served as Hospital Infection Control Officer as well as the Chairperson of the Infection Control Committee for 20 years.  He is also a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.  Dr. Ross graduated from the University of Illinois and subsequently attended medical school at the Chicago Medical School in Chicago. He completed residency training in Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, followed by fellowships in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California School of Medicine. From 1981-1985, Dr. Ross served as the coordinator of the intern and residency program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. His areas of interest have included epidemiology of nosocomial infections as well as clinical aspects of care for patients with immune compromising diseases including patients with HIV infection. 

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Transcription: 
I think there's a lot of controversy about HPV vaccine for two reasons. Number one, I think people are always afraid when they hear a recommendation from the government that this is a good vaccine or a good medicine, because in the past, there's been some experiences that would suggest that the government may not have been right and that maybe there was some danger there. And so there is that element of skepticism about that and as a doctor I'm very concerned about that, as a parent as well. So I want to assure everyone that I wouldn't do anything that I wouldn’t do for my own children. Now the other thing that is a concern is whether by giving a vaccine that prevents sexually transmitted infections with a virus, that might promote sexual activity. And parents are afraid that their daughters are going to start having earlier sex. Well, we know one thing – that that's not true. And when we've looked at what's happened after we educate our girls and boys about the vaccine and the infection, in fact it's made them much more responsible in their behavior. And when they do have sex, it's more likely to be safer sexual practice, and it doesn't in any way make them start sex at an earlier age.