Study: No link between HPV vaccine, sexual activity

By Sam Baker - 10/15/12 02:03 PM ET

Receiving the controversial HPV vaccine does not make young girls more likely to have sex, a new study says.

Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S., and it can lead to several types of cancer. But there is political resistance to the HPV vaccine, in part because of fears that girls will become more promiscuous if they've been vaccinated.

During the Republican primary, Texas Gov. Rick Perry met strong criticism from challengers Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.) and former Sen. Rick Santorum (Pa.) for mandating that girls in his state receive the HPV vaccine.

But fears of increased promiscuity are unfounded, according to a study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics. The study used insurance claims data to compare 11- and 12-year-old girls who received the vaccine to girls who did not.

The researchers looked for follow-up claims within the next three years that would indicate sexual activity — for example, counseling about contraceptives, a pregnancy test or testing for a sexually transmitted disease. Girls who received the HPV vaccine were no more likely to use such services, the study found.

The study acknowledged that it could not account for girls who became sexually active without using any form of related healthcare.

The Planned Parenthood Federation of America said the findings should put to rest concerns about the vaccine.

"At Planned Parenthood health centers we see every day the importance of protecting young people against this potentially life-threatening virus. We hope this study’s findings will encourage more parents to vaccinate their daughters and sons against HPV," the organization said in a statement.