Argumentative Essay On Hpv Vaccine

Human papilloma virus is a small DNA tumor virus with more than 150 types, each designated by a number****. First recognized and studied in rabbits (Shope papilloma virus) by US researcher, Richard Shope in 1933, strains in sexually active humans, leading to more research on the virus and its implications****. Currently, HPV is one of the most common newly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection in the US, with more than 14 million new cases discovered every year worldwide***.
HPV spreads through skin-to-skin sexual contact with an infected person and is common among groups of all sexually active people, though it is most common in adolescents, women, and ethnic minorities***. Once the virus has infected the new host, it can then penetrate the basal cells of the stratified squamous epithelium, the metaplastic cells in the cervix, and even the glandular epithelium of the

Though many vaccines have triggered skepticism and even complete avoidance, most notably the Vaccine-Autism debate, the resistance to the HPV vaccine goes beyond that of other vaccines**. When questioned about their mistrust, parents have cited the young age at which children are vaccinated and moral concerns***. However, it is very important that the vaccine is administered to children who have not be exposed to the virus for it to be most effective and provide the greatest protection against HPV**. The moral concerns of getting the vaccine is stems from the thought pre-marital sex is immoral and parents would like for their children to wait for marriage*. Even so, some 46.8% of American high schoolers have reported having sex, with 5.6% reportedly having intercourse before the age of 13**. With these numbers in mind, doctors have recommended the HPV vaccination as a way to keep adolescents safe from the life threatening effects of HPV