Hundreds of Queen’s students are getting vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), but the parents of many Grade 8 girls, the provincial government’s target population, aren’t so sure. The vaccine has caused a stir in recent months as provincial governments such as Ontario have announced universal immunization programs. Although its long-term effects are unknown, it’s obvious that the vaccine’s short-term effects include public outcries against its social implications. Some have protested Gardasil’s young target population, saying that’s too young to get a vaccine that protects against STDs.
Safer-sex initiatives are getting a similar reception south of the border. Recently a middle school in Portland, Maine began offering prescription contraception at its in-school health clinic. The state’s condemnation of the policy has been echoed by the school’s committee chair as well as Portland’s Republican Party chairman.
Public reactions to both the HPV program and the middle school’s contraceptives reflect a skewed perception of sexual activity. It seems many people espouse the absurd notion that support for sexual health programs implicitly endorses having sex at a young age.
Any claims that such implementations encourage young people to have promiscuous sex are ridiculous and unfounded. MOre than one quarter of schools in the U.S. offer condoms as a readily available contraceptive, but condoms aren’t necessarily enough. Getting a shot to protect against an STD doesn’t encourage kids to jump into bed—it tells them there are adverse risks involved, and avoiding them involves precautionary measures.
These kids are having sex. It’s important, then, that they have resources to ensure their health and safety and don’t face condemnation for accessing them.
In Canada, the source of credible debate regarding the HPV vaccine has stemmed largely from its implementation method. It’s not the government endorsement that has roused controversy so much as it is the discrepancies between each province as to who receives the vaccine, and how. Ontario is providing the shot to all Grade 8 girls, some provinces plan to do the same in 2008 and the Alberta government still isn’t sure what its plans are. There’s very little synchronization on a health issue that affects all Canadians.
The contention arising from the mere mention of teenage sexuality demonstrates the inaccurate assumptions people make about the implications of promoting safe sex. Whether or not it’s government sponsored, teens who may be sexually active need protection against diseases and unwanted pregnancy. What they don’t need are the mixed messages and disapproval that comes with this controversy.
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.