Issue: Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, currently infecting approximately 20 million Americans with more than 5 million new cases each year.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, currently infecting approximately 20 million Americans with more than 5 million new cases each year. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer. It is also associated with oral cancer, cancers of the vagina, penis, anus, head and neck, and genital warts.

The seriousness of HPV and other STIs underscores the significance of God’s design for sexuality to human wellbeing. Thus, Minnesota Family Council affirms – above any available health intervention – abstinence until marriage and faithfulness after marriage as the best and primary practice in preventing HPV and other STIs.

This said, two pharmaceutical manufacturers – Merck and GlaxoSmithKline – have developed HPV vaccine products that are currently being tested. Merck’s vaccine provides immunity for four subtypes of HPV and is intended for use by both men and women. GlaxoSmithKline’s vaccine targets two strains of the virus and is intended for women only. U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval is necessary before either vaccine will be available to the public. At this point, testing indicates that both vaccines are safe, effective and cannot cause HPV infection.

Recognizing the worldwide detriment to individuals and families resulting from HPV, Minnesota Family Council supports and encourages the development of safe, effective and ethical vaccines against HPV, as well as other viruses. The use of these vaccines may prevent many cases of cervical cancer, thus saving the lives of millions of women across the globe.

Therefore, Minnesota Family Council supports widespread (universal) availability of HPV vaccines but opposes mandatory HPV vaccinations for entry to public school. The decision of whether to vaccinate a minor against this or other sexually transmitted infections should remain with the child’s parent or guardian. As in all areas of sexual health and education, Minnesota Family Council upholds parents’ right to be the primary decision maker and educator for their children. The use of these vaccines should involve informed consent for parents as well as education for both parents and youth regarding the potential benefits and risks of the vaccine. In making this decision, parents should consider the following:

• No vaccine is 100% effective against disease;
• There are more than one hundred sub-types of HPV and the current vaccines being tested are effective against, at most, four of these;
• The sub-types of the virus that these vaccines protect against are the cause of most but not all cases of cervical cancer;
• The possibility of HPV infection resulting from sexual assault, including date rape;
• The possibility that young persons may marry someone previously exposed to and still carrying the virus;
• The HPV vaccines do not protect against other STIs or prevent pregnancy;
• The HPV vaccines do not, in any circumstance, negate or substitute the best health message of sexual abstinence until marriage and sexual faithfulness after marriage.

Minnesota Family Council does not endorse a particular HPV vaccine product or manufacturer.