Are U.S. Mothers Ready To Vaccinate Their Daughters Against HPV?

Main Category: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 06 May 2008 - 2:00 PST

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Certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) are sexually transmitted and can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil, a prophylactic HPV vaccine marketed by Merck. It is recommended for girls and women 9 to 26 years old, but in almost all states, it is not mandated. Now, in a national study involving nearly 10,000 mothers of children enrolled in the Growing Up Today Study, just 48 percent of mothers said they intend to vaccinate daughters 9-12 years of age (national guidelines recommend targeting of 11-12 year-old girls for vaccination). Sixty-eight percent were willing to vaccinate a daughter aged 13 to 15, and 86 percent if she were 16 to 18. The study is the first national study of mothers' attitudes toward the HPV vaccine.

Children's Hospital Boston is home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869. More than 500 scientists, including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and 12 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children, Children's Hospital Boston today is a 397-bed comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care grounded in the values of excellence in patient care and sensitivity to the complex needs and diversity of children and families. Children's also is the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information about the hospital and its research visit: http://www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom.

Children's Hospital Boston