Hpv Vaccine

Lawmakers in numerous states have proposed adding the human papilloma virus, or HPV, vaccine to the list of mandatory shots girls must take in order to attend school. This has sparked tremendous controversy among social conservatives nationwide. The HPV vaccine is used for preventing cervical cancer and genital warts, which is primarily obtained through sexual activity. Religious groups fear that getting the HPV vaccine will encourage promiscuity among the youth. There are also potential HPV vaccine side effects, which include soreness, diarrhea, and nausea. (www.hpv.emedtv.com)

I can see how conservatives disapprove of mandating the HPV vaccine, but I believe that it can be extremely beneficial in the long run. Human papilloma virus is a deadly cancer that affects 20 million people a year. Requiring young girls to get the vaccine may sound absurd, but it is best to vaccinate a child that has no sexual history. This will ensure that the vaccination will be beneficial.

On August 24th, Governor Rick Perry signed an executive order mandating the HPV vaccine, making Texas the first state to do so. (www.stanford.wellsphere.com) The order requires all girls entering the 6th grade to get the vaccine before attending school. This has angered some religious groups, due to the fact that Texas is generally a conservative state, but Perry insists that "providing the HPV vaccine doesn't promote sexual promiscuity any more than the Hepatitis B vaccine promotes drug use." (www.statesmen.com) The HPV vaccine, Gardasil, is FDA approved and Merck has recommended Gardasil for women between age 9 and 26, stating that the vaccine is most effective if given to younger girls because the vaccine is ineffective once this very common virus is already present. (www.stanford.wellsphere.com) The vaccine series costs about $360, which sounds pricey, but Dr. Bill Hinchey, President of the Texas Medical Association stated that "a vaccine is a much less expensive method to do that than treating cervical cancer." (www.statesmen.com)

"Lawmakers who said their offices were inundated with angry calls and e-mails from constituents over the weekend rushed to file bills that would override the governor's order, which they said revokes parental rights and could encourage young girls to be promiscuous. [Rick Perry], however, stood firm." (www.stanford.wellsphere.com) After Perry mandated the vaccine, 18 other states passed excutive orders to mandate the vaccine as well, including Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia and Washington. (www.ncsl.org)

I agree with Governor Rick Perry, and agree that all girls entering the 6th grade should be vaccinated with the human papilloma virus shot. With the right education, a rise in promiscuity should not be a problem. This would also give