Republican Gov. Rick Perry issued an order Friday making Texas the first state to require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer. The company who provides the vaccine is Merck. Do you trust Merck? Will parents stand up and tell Perry to go to hell!?
2007-02-02 10:24:17 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
I am a 17 year old girl living in Texas. I am not nor have I ever been sexually active. I completely support the mandate of this vaccine for all girls. Children as young as 12-13 are having sex and anything we can do to protect their health must be done. Cervical cancer is a common disease and it kills. Besides, girls can be exempt from this law if their parents have a religious or philosophical objection to it. Also, as it will be payed for by the state, 1,000's of girls who can't afford the vaccine will be protected.
2007-02-05 16:40:26 · answer #1 · answered by sarah 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I can't speak for Texas, but in my state a LOT of vaccines are required for schoolchildren, including one against the sexually-transmitted virus that causes cirrhosis and liver cancer (hepatitis B).
As a physician, I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the vaccine you reference, Gardasil, for years (ever since I heard some of the preliminary results of the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing cervical cancer and genital warts, long before the vaccine came to market). Having seen the devastating effects of cervical cancer first hand, I believe that Gardasil is the greatest advance in women's health since the introduction of the birth control pill! The risks of the vaccine are tiny compared to the benefit -- a benefit that extends not just to the girl who is protected by the vaccine, but to many others not vaccinated because the spread of the virus will stop with her.
How common is HPV infection? 50% of females will be infected within four years of their first sexual intercourse, and more than 80% will be infected in their lifetimes (it's not something that just happens to "bad" girls!!!)
I'm not sure where your distrust of Merck comes from; there are many in this country who believe that any company that makes a profit must be suspect. As for me, I WILL be taking my daughter to get the Gardasil vaccine as soon as she's old enough!
I applaud your governor's progressive thinking and proactive stance to protect public health. And if Texas is like my state, parents who object to the vaccine on moral/religious grounds can opt out, either by signing a statement of religious belief or by educating their kids outside the public school system.
I hope you educate yourself further on the topic, and choose to protect the girls and young women you love.
2007-02-02 10:44:21 · answer #2 · answered by Eric 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
What is the big deal? I get that some parents think there kids will take it as an excuse to have sex because they are vaccinated but it is going to happen sooner or later and at 13 and 14 girls should know at least a little about sex as they mature and they should also know that even if they are vaccinated there are other STD's. I say if as a parent you have the ability to protect your kid in any way you should do it. Sex will happen if the parent knows or not and it will happen at some point in life like after marriage for you religious people so just vaccinate them and eliminate the risk.
2007-02-02 10:32:12 · answer #3 · answered by pchardbooter 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I am sure that all pertinent information will be provided and that parents will have a say. However, I cannot understand why someone would not want this if it in fact does work and there is absolute proof with no doubts or room for errs. I wish that something like this would have been available for me when I was that age, as I ended up with cervical cancer that was caught very early and treated successfully. I have had not further problems but that thought is always there, what if!!! So this is something that parents and young girls should be discussing at great length. And I think that Gov Perry needs to back off!!
2007-02-02 10:30:46 · answer #4 · answered by Cindy Roo 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
What a astounding medical breakthrough,and how lucky for young women today that won't have the fear of cervical cancer hanging over their head,and how fortunate for all of us to have "weapon" like that available.Parents should be rejoicing that there daughters won't have a premature death from cervical cancer,Merck labs have been around a long time,they have developed many state of the art med's for allot of diseases.Why would parents tell the Governor to go to hell ? He's trying to save a generation from a cancer,and reducing herpes 2 STD's. SW RNP
2007-02-02 12:00:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think whether to get the vaccine or not should be decided between parent and daughter. i trust this vaccine works but they do admit that there are side effects. Gov Perry needs to back off and let parents decide.
Plus, in order to get HPV you have to have sex with someone. not everyone does that. It's not like the flu or hepititus where I can breath on you and you'll get it.
2007-02-02 10:33:45 · answer #6 · answered by christigmc 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
This is so amazing. Finally a male politician giving a crap about women's health. Given the large number of new cases of HPV each year, I was thrilled to see that someone is taking action in the fight against cervical cancer.
The parents have the right to opt out. So what's the problem? Any parent that does in my opinion doesn't care about their daughter's health. Living in denial about teen sex is not going to help anyone.
The vaccine has passed all studies and tests and been approved. I wish it had been available to me when I was a teen.
2007-02-02 10:29:41 · answer #7 · answered by misskate12001 6 · 6⤊ 2⤋
Could someone please clarify the source of this claim? I have an article here from Jan 31 that says this is not true:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16891832/
..from the article...
"But no state has yet to add Gardasil to the list of vaccinations youngsters must have under law to be enrolled in school."
Are you referring to today or last Friday?
2007-02-02 10:38:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's a required vaccine then they can get it at the health dept for free. Why would you not want to take something that will prevent cancer??????
2007-02-02 10:38:31 · answer #9 · answered by chvyno1 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm a male from Arizona. i don't think forcing these girls Against there rights is the way. they should decide them self's if they want it or not. who ant to say that it could cause the girls to not have children. its one of the things " should i do this and get the risk of something else bad happen to me ". so to all you folks in Texas just keep fighting. you could also try to sue the sate for not giving you girls a right.
2007-02-02 10:45:15 · answer #10 · answered by bubba 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋