Parents Maintain Objections to Mandatory HPV Vaccinations

Poll finds moms and dads want the right to decide.

Just 44 percent of parents support a mandate to have their school-age daughters vaccinated for the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a poll from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Matthew Davis, a senior researcher at the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan, said the poll revealed similar worries in every state, even those not considering required vaccinations.

"Concerns that the vaccine may promote promiscuity are on the minds of parents who are against HPV vaccine in general."

So far this year, 24 states have considered HPV-vaccination legislation. Virginia has passed its bill. In Texas, an executive order by the governor mandating HPV vaccination was overridden by the Legislature.

Cathie Adams, president of the Texas Eagle Forum, said she sees a lesson in the numbers: "Parents say, 'We can and we will take on the responsibility that God has given us, which is to make decisions concerning our own children's health care.' "