Discussion of human papillomavirus prophylactic vaccination

In this article, the problem surrounding human papillomavirus—which causes some cancers, among which cervical cancer is the most prominent— and the prophylactic vaccination against it is addressed. First, the most relevant facts about both the virus and the vaccines are described. Second, the problems of the efficacy and safety of the vaccines are discussed. Third, two ethical problems of HPV vaccination are discussed: should it be obligatory or optional? Should it target only women or men too? I conclude with a call to extend HPV vaccination and HPV education in particular, and vaccination education in general.