What is your opinion on making the HPV vaccine mandatory for girls attending middle school?

Question

Merck, the makers of Gardasil, have been lobbying various law makers to pass state laws that would require girls to get the vaccine in order to attend middle school. Parents could always opt out as they do with other childhood vaccinations. The vaccine is a series of 3 injections totalling $360. Should the government be involved in requiring this vaccination of teenager?

From what I understand this drug has had less then 5 years of testing. Will it really protect a women her whole life? Are there any side effects a teenger might get later in life? There is currently a debate about required immunizations causing autism. If the child's family does not have insuranse the taxpayers will pay for the vaccine. If the vaccine becomes a state mandated requirement what about follow up visits to a gyno? Shouldn't the state then provide FREE birth control if it is going to ensure the reduction of a sexually transmitted disease?

Answer 1

It bothers me - a LOT. I think the line between drug companies and government is already far too blurry. Merck has no business trying to force sales of its product through legislation. At this point, we can't be sure that the drug is completely safe. It very well may be, but even if it is, parents should make that decision. Requiring the vaccination is forcing them to vaccinate their children against a sexually transmitted disease. This is a huge issue for parents who insist that the government has no right to tell them how or what to teach their children about sex.

The governor of Texas has just done an end run around the legislative procedures by signing an order to require the vaccination. The order cannot be overturned by legislation - the only way it can be revoked, at this point, is by a future governor.

Don't get me wrong - if this product does what it's supposed to, and if the side effects are within reasonably safe bounds, I think it's a good idea for parents to have their daughters vaccinated, regardless of their opinion of premarital sex. I just don't think that the government should allow a drug company to push us into it.

Answer 2

Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year.

The vaccine protects agains 4 HPV types which cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.
I agree with making the vaccine obligatory because although it costs $360 per female, it will save millions of dollars used to treat cervical cancer and other related diseases.

I believe they would put it in the primary scheme of vaccines along with small pox or polio (so nobody would even question it) but it is not recommended for girls younger than 9. Still it has to be administered before being sexually active, therefore it has to be before 14 aprox... which makes before middle school an excellent age.

Lots of lives and money would be saved.

Answer 3

i think its a wonderful preventative measure. the vaccination currently only prevents 70% of hpv. so obvious preventive matters would still have to be taken into consideration. It should be mandatory for erasing hpv. many women suffer from hpv from unknowing carriers. men do not get an symptoms for hpv but can only carry it. this would make sex a lot safer for teens who will be at higher risk for having unprotected sex. i still think abstinence should still be taught as well as other birth control methods... if there was a shot for preventing cervical cancer wouldn't you want to protect yourself? i would rather have a 30% chance other than 100% IF I Slept unknownligy with a partner was an unsuspecting carrier.

Answer 4

There are two ways to look at. One is they will be vaccinated for a virus the same as small pox, or polio. They could avoid a deadly form of cancer.

The other is, whats next mandatory, birth control

Answer 5

I don't approve of making a vaccine mandatory, but if we were going to do it, then make males take it since they are the carriers and spreaders of HPV. They can treat women all they want, but if they don't eradicate it in all the carriers, they will never eradicate it.

Answer 6

Absolutely. Although not every type of HPV can cause cervical cancer, there is absolutely no reason for any girl to risk cervical cancer in her future. Frankly, I think that failing to have a girl vaccinated in this way should be referred to as criminal negligence.

Answer 7

to be honest, my Mom died of cervical cancer and if it weren't for my age I would have one of the first women in line... however I have already decided that my daughter is going to have the shot when she becomes age appropriate and right now she is only two. No matter what the cost, if I can prevent her from going through what my Mom did then IT'S WORTH IT!!!

Answer 8

Here's a link to reactions that were reported from gardasil http://www.medalerts.org/vaersdb/findfield.php?LOWAGE=&HIGHAGE=&SEX=&STATE=&PRIOR_VAX=&VAX_DATE_LOW=&VAX_DATE_HIGH=&CUR_ILL=&VAX=HPV4&VAXDOSE=&VAXMAN=&VAXROUTE=&VAXLOT=&VAXSITE=&ONSET_DATE_LOW=&ONSET_DATE_HIGH=&REPORT_DATE_LOW=&REPORT_DATE_HIGH=&SYMPTOMS=&HISTORY=&L_THREAT=&ER_VISIT=&DIED=&HOSPITAL=&DEATH_DATE_LOW=&DEATH_DATE_HIGH=&X_STAY=&RECOVD=&LAB_DATA=&DISABLE=&OTHER_MEDS=&V_ADMINBY=&V_FUNDBY=&PAGENO=1&PERPAGE=10
I think every parent should look at that before they inject their child with this. We of course will get exemptions http://www.vaccinetruth.com/ lists them by state.
I think it's terrible that they are trying to make this mandatory-they are making money off scare tactics and the fears of parents.

Answer 9

NO I THINK THATS BULL SH!T. IT SHOULD BE UP TO HER & HER PARENTS. THE GOV'T NEEDS THE BACK THE HELL UP.