Surprise, surprise! A school in Texas has made it a law that all 11 and 12 year old girls must have proof they have been vaccinated against cervical cancer. If someone had asked me which state would make this mandatory, I would never have chosen Texas would be the first to do it. Congratulations to the governor of Texas for making a courageous and life-saving stand on behalf of all female students who live in his state.
Texas on Friday became the first state to require all 11- and 12-year-old girls entering the sixth grade to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.
Averting a potentially divisive debate in the Legislature, Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, signed an executive order mandating shots of the Merck vaccine Gardasil as protection against the human papillomavirus, or HPV, starting in September 2008.
"I had no idea; I was absolutely caught off guard," said Representative Jessica Farrar, Democrat of Houston, who sponsored a bill to require the vaccinations starting this September. "Normally, the governor does not take things like this upon himself, although I'm glad he did."
Cited story.
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I can't say I am a fan of compulsory medical treatment, but if ever there were an occasion when it should be used I think that this must be it.
A very brave move by Gov. Perry. I applaud him.
I heard on NPR that Merck, which makes the vaccine, is funding efforts like this around the country. Good ol' capitalism at work. Anyone check their stock price lately?
PS - Not that I'm against making the vaccines mandatory, by the way.
I believe Perry's press sec. now works for the said company. In addition to stock price, one wonders what Perry's PAC contributions look like.
It's a tough one all around.
The fundies down here will no doubt go nuts.
You must be kidding! This is not courageous. This is absolutley ridiculous. This whole vaccine is just a pharmaceutical money making scheme. They obviously stand to make more money than I can put zeros on because it is costing them a fortune to buy these legislators. Anyone who does even a little bit of research will see that HPV is a virus transmitted solely by sexual contact, that it rarely presents any real health problems, generally clears up on its own without any treatment and only a very few strains can cause cervical cancer which, by the way can be detected and treated in early stages by pap test. A definite way to prevent HPV is to not have sex but if you do, use condoms. Don't believe me? Check out the website of American Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Also check out websites of American Oncology Research that state the best way to prevent Cervical cancer is for sexually active women to get regular pap test. The pap can detect precancerous conditions allowing for prevention of cervical cancer and early treatment if cancer is detected. It is absurd to require an entire population of girls to be vaccinated for a disease that can easily be prevented by being educated and informed and taking the proper precautions. Never mind all the reasons the vaccine research, development, advertising, lobbying etc are questionable that I won't go into since this post is already lengthy. Finally, What right does the government have to force this type of vaccination? I for one am fearful of the next push - the stupidity vaccine- No it doesn't prevent stupidity...it guarantees that we all become stupid and docile and cooperative..so far they have only managed to get some of the population. I suggest we stop this insanity before it's too late. Don't be beguiled by the hype. Don't succumb to the fear tactics.Inform yourself of the facts that exist. Then stand up against those who would tell you what is best for you or your family members. They may not care one bit for your interest. Taking responsibility for yourself. That is true courage.
New Vaccine for Cervical Cancer Could Prove Useful in Men, Too : http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/30/health/30virus.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Fascism at work by dumbing down the population and
bringing the gun to the room.
So Betty.... that stupid vaccine, how long was your arm sore after you got it?
No, no, no. Making people 'stupid and docile and cooperative' (and ungrammatical) is the job of Organized Religion, and Fox News.
(Fortunately it doesn't always work. )
The medical community is afraid of making people 'stupid and docile and cooperative' because such unfortunates are easily misled by 'alternative medicine' practitioners, who compete with the medical community.
Hey, Betty, want to talk to my doctor about my HPV? I contracted it before having sex. So, thanks for jumping to conclusions about all that (also, if you'd do more reading, you'd learn that condoms don't fully protect against HPV). Furthermore, it doesn't self clear for everyone, and I've had a numerous doctor's appointments to continue treating my HPV. Oh, and one last bit: yes, we can be treated for HPV. But some treatments adversely affect cervical quality, which also has a negative impact on the ability to successfully bring a child to term. Seems like a $350 series of vaccinations would be a whole heckuva lot cheaper and much nicer, especially for those of us who unknowingly contracted HPV and now deal with obstinant infections.
Incidentally, I've started the vaccinations too, since I don't know which strain I have. Thankfully, my school insurance is paying for it (yay UMich). I'm glad Texas is requiring the vaccine, and I hope that every state in the nation ultimately finds a way to cover this vaccine.
i am no fan of compulsory medical treatment, either, having just escaped its clutches recently. however, i can unequivocably state that every last one of my readers was glad that i received that compulsory medical treatment.
further, i also think that compulsory medical treatment for infections diseases should be an option for state governments to enforce, especially in cases such as this, and also in cases such as treatment of potentially dangerous diseases such as multiple-drug-resistant tuberculosis, just to name one other example.
basically, when a identifiable disease cannot be easily prevented and it endangers the life and future productivity of an individual or society, i think that compulsive medical treatment is a reasonable option that should be considered by government officials.
Critics rip Perry's vaccine mandate & First lady's influence? found here: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/4528909.html
To betty:
I've read what the cdc says on the subject. You are correct.
However, the cdc recommends HPV vaccinations:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5540-Immunizationa1.htm
It would be great to rid the world of HPV, but to give the vaccine only to females is sexist, discriminatory and plain stupid. Boys should also be vaccinated.
From Texas, doesn't like the idea.
Thanks but no thanks.