A Washington Times editorial titled, “Bachmann is right: HPV vaccine has dangerous side effects,” argued that Rep. Michele Bachmann, a 2012 Republican presidential candidate, “shouldn't step away from her original claim about the [HPV] vaccine's unintended results because she's actually right.” The Times may have been referring to an interview Bachmann gave on NBC's Today, during which she relayed a mother's contention that after her daughter was given the HPV vaccine, “she suffered from mental retardation.” Doctors have called that suggestion "irresponsible" and wrong.

The Times did not defend Bachmann's suggestion that there is a link between the HPV vaccine and mental retardation. Rather, the editorial brought up another argument against the HPV vaccine, stating: “There are serious side effects to government mandating the HPV vaccine, but they are behavioral, not medical. Teens 'inoculated' against HPV are being given a false sense of security tantamount to a green light to participate in sexual activity.”

But that, too, has been disputed. In fact, there is no evidence the vaccine leads to promiscuity, and studies show that when they are asked about their own behavior, teens are “much less likely to say” that the vaccine would have some kind of influence on their decision to engage in sexual activity.

From the Times' September 23 editorial:

Rep. Michele Bachmann has caught a lot of heat for her criticism of Gov. Rick Perry's forced vaccination policy in Texas. She was given a chance in last night's debate to clarify her comments on HPV vaccines, specifically that it could be a “potentially dangerous drug” because of side effects. The Minnesota Republican, on defense, replied that the major issue was Mr. Perry ceding parental rights to a drug company that made donations to his campaign.

Mrs. Bachmann shouldn't step away from her original claim about the vaccine's unintended results because she's actually right. There are serious side effects to government mandating the HPV vaccine, but they are behavioral, not medical. Teens “inoculated” against HPV are being given a false sense of security tantamount to a green light to participate in sexual activity.

Previously:

Fox “Medical A-Team” Members Suggest That HPV Vaccine Is License For Teen Girls To Have Sex

“Meet Mr. Smith And Mr. Wesson”: The Right's War On Vaccines