Poll says most Americans back HPV vaccine

October 1, 2006

The majority of Americans are in favor of using a newly approved vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus, according to The Wall Street Journal (8/8/2006). About 70% of Americans agree that girls and young women should be encouraged to receive the HPV vaccine to prevent the spread of cervical cancer, while 7% disagreed and 23% were not sure.

The majority of Americans are in favor of using a newly approved vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus, according to The Wall Street Journal (8/8/2006). About 70% of Americans agree that girls and young women should be encouraged to receive the HPV vaccine to prevent the spread of cervical cancer, while 7% disagreed and 23% were not sure.

The Food & Drug Administration approved the HPV vaccine (Gardasil) in June. It recommends that the vaccine be administered to girls and women ages 9 to 26, and notes that it is more effective before a woman becomes sexually active.

The Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll is based on a nationwide online survey of 2,604 adults from July 27 to July 31. Among the other findings: