Ethical considerations of universal vaccination against human papilloma virus.
BACKGROUND
From an epidemiological perspective, the practice of universal vaccination of girls and young women in order to prevent human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and potential development of cervical cancer is widely accepted even though it may lead to the neglect of other preventive strategies against cervical cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
It is argued that removing the deterrent effect--the fear of developing cancer--could encourage teenage sex. This paper reflects on the ethical legitimacy of the universal vaccination of girls and young women against HPV infection, especially regarding safety issues, the need to vaccinate people who have opted to abstain from sex, the presumption of early onset of sexual relations, the commercial interests of the companies that manufacture the vaccine, and the recommendation of universal vaccination in males.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the aforementioned information, we believe that the universal vaccination against HPV in young women is acceptable from an ethical point of view, given the medical advantages it presents.
Pedro
P
Navarro-Illana
Instituto de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Católica de Valencia "San Vicente Martir", Valencia, Spain. justo.aznar@ucv.es.
Justo
J
Aznar
Javier
J
Díez-Domingo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000941:ethics; D008403:Mass Screening; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010290:Parents; D061214:Patient Safety; D011634:Public Health; D012746:Sexual Abstinence; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000941:ethics*
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines