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There is a perception among vaccine-hesitant parents that providing the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as recommended, starting at age 11 years, will lower the age of first sexual intercourse and increase sexual promiscuity. This concern has also been expressed by legislators who argue against laws that mandate vaccine education, affordability, and access. As a result, HPV vaccination rates remain low.
Now, investigators have examined data on sexual activity and condom use, obtained from Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) surveys, to assess whether increases in HPV vaccination coverage — facilitated by legislation in 23 states to increase vaccination rates — affected teen sexual behavior between 2001 and 2015.
Among nearly 90…