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A large safety study required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that there are no serious side effects of Gardasil, the HPV vaccine that protects against genital warts, cervical cancer, and some types of oral cancers. While the results of the study, published in Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, indicate that the HPV vaccine is safe, 65% of adults in a recent NPCH Report disagree.

When we asked adults across the country about their views on the HPV vaccine and vaccinations for adolescents, 74% of adults said getting vaccines is a good way to protect adolescents from disease. However, only 35% of adults said they believe the HPV vaccine is safe. Read the full report: Public reluctant to support teen HPV vaccination without parental consent.

Although HPV vaccination is recommended for adolescent and young women and men, teens are less likely to get the HPV vaccine than any other recommended immunization. Concerns about the safety of the HPV vaccine likely contribute to low vaccination rates. It’s possible that the results of this large safety study will change the beliefs of some, but continued effort will be needed from health care providers to educate parents about the safety of the HPV vaccine and encourage recommended adolescent vaccinations.