Welcome to Immunize.org’s Ask the Experts resources. This Ask the Experts question is presented by Immunize.org’s Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH.
Question: Some parents resist HPV vaccination of their 11- and 12-year-olds because they are not sexually active. How should I counter this position?
Answer: Explain to the parent that vaccination starting at 11 or 12 years will provide the best protection possible long before the start of any kind of sexual activity. It is standard practice to vaccinate people before they are exposed to an infection, as is the case with measles and the other recommended childhood vaccines. Similarly, we want to vaccinate children before they get exposed to HPV. Studies of HPV vaccine indicate that younger adolescents respond better to the vaccine than older adolescents and young adults. Healthy children vaccinated at this age will need only 2 doses of vaccine rather than 3 doses if vaccinated at an older age. Finally, numerous research studies have shown that getting the HPV vaccine does not make kids more likely to be sexually active or start having sex at a younger age.
About Ask the Experts
Immunize.org established Ask the Experts to provide practical answers to clinical questions about vaccines and vaccine administration. Our Immunize.org experts have answered more than 1,200 clinical questions like this one based on ACIP recommendations. You can find all of these questions and answers on our "Ask the Experts" page at [ Ссылка ].
About Immunize.org
Immunize.org supports healthcare professionals with educational resources and advocates to remove barriers to vaccination for all. We create and distribute educational materials for healthcare professionals and the public that enhance the delivery of safe and effective immunization services. We work to improve national and state vaccine policy. Immunize.org also facilitates communication about the safety, efficacy, and use of vaccines within the broad immunization community of patients, parents, healthcare organizations, and government health agencies.
Stay up to date by subscribing to our free weekly newsletter, IZ Express, including ATE Special Editions at [ Ссылка ].
Stay current on immunization news; follow us on your favorite social media platform:
Instagram: @ImmunizeOrg
Facebook: @ImmunizeOrg
LinkedIn: @Immunize.org
Twitter: @ImmunizeOrg
Immunize.org Legal Disclaimer: [ Ссылка ]
#savelivesimmunize #immunizeorg #vaccinessavelives #vaccineswork #vaccination
![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0AAggwf-4e8/maxresdefault.jpg)