HPV Vaccine Doesn't Lead to Promiscuity, Study Shows

Question: How likely are those who think STD protection leads to sexual activity to believe a study?

Adolescent girls who get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine are no more likely to show signs they may be engaging in sexual activity than girls who do not get the vaccine, according to a new study that challenges a widely held belief.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus, and some strains of the virus can lead to oral and genital cancers. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend the HPV vaccine for girls and boys as young as age 11.

Previous surveys have found that some parents are concerned their daughter may be more likely to engage in sexual activity if they receive the vaccine.