Mandatory STD Vaccinations in TX
Should schools decide if your daughter needs an STD vaccination?
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a common cause of sexually transmitted disease. Texas schools will soon be vaccinating young girls against this disease.
Governor Perry of Texas has mandated that girls as young as 11 or 12 receive the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Perry states, "The HPV vaccine provides us with an incredible opportunity to effectively target and prevent cervical cancer." [The Associated Press, MSNBC, 2/5/07]
Merck
Who is funding the promotion of this vaccination program? Merck, a leading pharmaceutical company. In fact, Merck is funding a promotion throughout the country to have Gardasil mandated. The biggest push has been in Texas because of the connections. According to MSNBC, Mike Toomey, Perry's former chief of staff is now one of Merck's lobbyists in Texas. Merck also coincidentally donated $6000 to Perry's political action committee during his re-election.
Executive Order
Since this was enacted through executive order, the Texas legislature has no authority to repeal it. Texas citizens will have to wait until a new governor is elected. Dawn Richardson, president of Parents Requesting Open Vaccine Education, a citizens group that fought for the right to opt out of other vaccine requirements, says, "He's (Perry) circumventing the will of the people. There are bills filed. There's no emergency except in the boardrooms of Merck, where this is failing to gain the support that they had expected."
What Is HPV?
HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is a common cause of sexually transmitted disease. In some cases, the virus can form warts on various parts of the body, including the feet, hands and genitals. There are more than 100 types of HPV, most of which are harmless. Of these 100, more than 30 types are sexually transmitted. Some types of HPV that cause genital infections can also cause cervical cancer and other gynecological cancers. Sources: Associated Press, National Institutes of Health, CDC.
Parent Option to Opt-Out
Texas parents do have the option to opt-out of this vaccine based on religious or philosophical reasons. This is still not enough for many groups that say medical decisions should not be made by schools but by parents.
Approval
The federal government did approve Gardisil in June of 2006 and recommended that all girls get the shots at age 11 and 12 before sexually active. Recommended...not mandated. Flu shots are recommended but not mandated. Pneumonia shots are often recommended but not mandated.
Gardisil would be administered in a series of three shots and would be covered by medical insurance. The vaccine has not caused serious side effects.
Bottom Line
The controversy is not about the benefits of Gardasil which are many. It is about who should decide if and when it is needed. If Merck's representatives sit as members of Women in Government and Women in Government suggest bills, are the motives altruistic or for profit?
Related articles about government in schools:
John Stossel on Vouchers Getting National Attention
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
