The Guardian reports that a trial for a new cervical cancer vaccine program for schoolgirls aged 12 and 13 is being refused by 20% of parents.

A third of those who gave a reason for refusal said they were worried about the long-term safety, on which there is no data. But some may have concerns that allowing vaccination may promote promiscuity, because the cancer-causing virus which the vaccination targets is passed on in sexual intercourse. Two schools declined to take part for religious reasons. The findings from the pilot study, involving 2,817 girls aged 12 and 13 in year 8 at 36 secondary schools in Greater Manchester, are published by the British Medical Journal today. Source: The Guardian.

To the third of parents rejecting the vaccine on long-tem safety grounds, how many are using this as an excuse. Vaccines are given to millions of us each year and whilst there’s been a lot of scaremongering over vaccines safety particularly MMR in the UK, there’s no actual evidence. How many parents are considering the risks of not vaccinating? That would be cervical cancer. In addition, to anyone who thinks my daughter won’t get a sexually transmitted virus is living in cloud cuckoo land. There’s plenty of good information on the HPV vaccine at the US government’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

To the two schools declining to take part on religious grounds, why? What other vaccines do you refuse? Just this one? Surely, you must recognise that girls have sex and surely, you want to protect them? Or do you think girls who have sex deserve cervical cancer?