NCBC Statement on Vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

NCBC Statement on Vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
July 11, 2006

The National Catholic Bioethics Center notes that the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices has recommended that young women be vaccinated against the human papilloma virus (HPV) as a protection against cervical cancer, which is caused by certain strains of this virus. HPV is spread through sexual contact which includes, but is not limited to, sexual intercourse. Consequently, the most effective way to avoid contracting it is to abstain from sexual relations before marriage and to remain faithful within marriage.

The NCBC considers HPV vaccination to be a morally acceptable method of protecting against this disease, but asks that civil authorities leave this decision to parents and not make such immunization mandatory.

The prevalence of HPV in the reproductive age population makes exposure to the virus possible, even in a monogamous marriage, due to the possibility of a spouse’s exposure prior to marriage. Furthermore, we live in a society where non-consensual sex remains a threat to young women who deserve to be protected from the effects of exposure to HPV.

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