The United States, especially in more recent years, is known to prescribe and over prescribe drugs, vaccines and other medications. In 2006, the FDA licensed the drug Gardasil as the first vaccine for the prevention of the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S, HPV or human papilloma virus. According to the CDC, 75 million people have the virus and many of these cases go undiagnosed.

The vaccine was initially meant for girls aged 9- 26, however, doctors are now recommending preteen boys to also get vaccinated because vaccines tend to work better in the preteen stages of life. Although most of these cases clear up on their own, untreated HPV can cause certain types of cervical, anal and oral cancers. Currently, there are about 14 million new cases each year and 4,000 of them result in death. Known side effects of the vaccine include soreness, redness and swelling at the injection site. Others include a fever, dizziness, headaches and nausea.  Because the vaccine is still relatively new, there is still wide controversy over the safety of the drug. “The drug is still very new, so there is no way to know the long term side effects of the drug, “said senior Heather Clapp.   21 states have made it mandatory that girls entering the 6th grade receive this vaccine including Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota,  North Dakota, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

“I think that it is definitely a good idea for everyone preteen to get this vaccine,” says Junior Maddie Acampora. “If doctors have found a way to prevent the HPV virus, then why shouldn’t we take it?” However, Senior Justin Rosa feels differently about the matter.  “I understand that doctors are only doing what they are supposed to do, but I’m not taking the Gardasil shot if I’m endangering my current health,” he said.  “I do not want to take the risk of taking an experimental drug.  There are other ways to take preventative actions against HPV. “