Virginia will mandate HPV vaccine.
By on Mar 2nd, 2007 at 10:47 am
Virginia will mandate HPV vaccine.
Yesterday, Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine (D) said he will sign legislation approved last month by the General Assembly “requiring all sixth-grade girls to get vaccinated against a virus that could lead to cervical cancer.” In early February, Gov. Rick Perry (R) signed an order making Texas the first state to require the HPV vaccine.
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Good. A step in the right direction. I hope other states take notice and follow their lead.
March 2nd, 2007 at 10:51 amAs the dad of an almost 11 year old daughter, I’d caution people to do their research first. Merck is pushing this drug, among other reasons, to beat to market a competitor drug (from the UK, I believe) that should be on the market within a year. Also, the efficacy of the drug is not 100% clear in terms of side effects, how bad those effects are compared to other common vaccines, and related issues. I’d encourage you to use the Google, ask your doctor, and so on, before assuming it is a 100% good idea. For us, personally, we’ll wait a few years to see how the drug shakes out. Certainly if this drug pans out, it is a great thing. I’m just skeptical since it is early days.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:00 amthis is not a partisian issue… and I dont care if Merck makes a truck load of money from this. AS LONG AS ITS SAFE AND IT WORKS!
its cancer people.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:03 amLAME!
Sorry forced vaccines that have only been out less than a year months for a disease that you may never even encounter is bad, let parents make the decision.
I know it sounds GREAT on the cover, but let those WANTING it take the risks.
Can you really trust the drug companies? And our govt these days?
This product has not been out long enough to even know long term effects, like it causing cancer itself, even the product warning states this.
http://www.medicalaccountability.net/essay_gardasil.html
First will come the shots, then comes the chip implants, for our safety and health of course.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:07 amI don’t see anything in the article saying Virginia would help low income families pay for the vaccine. At least parents can “opt out.”
I think the vaccine is a great idea, but it shouldn’t be mandated, unless they’re going to pay for the vaccine for the uninsured.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:09 am#2 I agree with you. Parents should check what the side affects are. I don’t trust this admin. I don’t have children that age any more but I would make the decision not the government. This should be left up to the parents.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:12 amI’m with Fred… DO YOUR RESEARCH..
BUT FIGHT FORCED SHOTS!!!
When this drug has been out 20 years, yes. But remember this drug is made by the same company that said Vioxx was safe..
And if you think it’s great, take your daughter to be the trial test.
Let me know in 15 years if your “group” has higher miscarriage, infertiltiy, cancer, heart problems, mental problems.
They don’t even know how long the effects of the vaccine last. So well we’ll be pumping more chemicals into our youth and young adults as they receive boosters.
Folks there are too many kids with ADD, Autism now, many researched believe linked to Aluminum and Mercury in vaccines.
RESEARCH FOLKS!!! Merck is in the for the money, not your health.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:15 am[...] virus that could lead to cervical cancer.†In early February, Gov. Rick Perry (R) signed an order making Texas the first state to require the HPV vaccine. It simply doesn’t matter what causes cancer; defeating cancer is the prize. ShareThese [...]
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:21 amComment by We Know — March 2, 2007 @ 11:07 am
The same argument could have been made for Polio, Small Pox, etc.
Comment by Zooey — March 2, 2007 @ 11:09 am
As I understand, it it is mandatory, then the state health dept. has to help the low income families.
I am all for it.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:27 amComment by Mary Poplins — March 2, 2007 @ 11:12 am
I agree, to an extent. My wife is a teacher, so I have a dim view of “parents” and what should be left up to them. I have seen parents with drug addictions, parents who forget to pick their kids up from school, parents who pimp their children out, and much worse. Sometimes the schools are the ONLY ones doing anything for these kids. While I do worry about such a new drug, and all of the problems associated with it, like I said earlier, it is a STEP in the right direction.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:28 amWhat gives the government the right to mandate a preventative measure for a disease that is not transmittable through incidental contact? The public at large is not at risk.
Maybe it’s stupid not to want to be Merck’s guinea pig but I have the right to be stupid as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:29 amI find this scary. I see plenty of comments praising the decision of the Virginia governor to require all 6th grade girls to receive this vaccine. First, I don’t think the government should have the power to require any such thing. Second, I would pull my child out of school immediately, because I would not allow the state to inject her with anything. We are looking at the highest rates of autism ever. So far the cause has not been determined with certainty, but the prime suspect is vaccines. Until they are proven safe, they should not be used on our children. They only way to prove them safe is to test them on humans. My child will not be a test subject. And yes, the profit motive is a corrupting motivation, so forgive me for being skeptical.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:32 amI’m all for it, but I hope they test it a bit more first before using our daughters as guinea pigs. I mean, think about it this way…
Microsoft Vista, Playstation 3, XBox 360. They all are/have rushed out and put their products on the market and there are so many bugs on Day One Launch. Do we really want to put our daughter’s health on the line THAT badly?
I want my daughter to have this vaccine, but only after they have tested it THOROUGHLY!
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:35 amIt sounds like a good idea, but are you sure these children aren’t actually being used as lab rats? Far be it for me to suggest the government is not on the up-and-up, but I do remember the Tuskeegee experiment and I had occasion to meet some of these black men personally after they had already gone quite insane. This was also a governmentally-approved medical step as well, and all I am saying is that all is not always what it seems. We shouldn’t be so damned quick to jump on the band wagon, without a closer examination. Why are these people in such a hurry to push this procedure? Could it be because they have ties with the production laboratory Merck? I don’t know about Virginia per say, but that is the case with Texas.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:35 amI do have to say it is very encouraging and uplifting to me to see so many caring parents on here today that voice an opinion one way or another.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:38 amAs I understand, it it is mandatory, then the state health dept. has to help the low income families.
I am all for it.
Comment by hacker bob
I’m all for it, too! If I had a daughter, she’d be getting the vaccine immediately. But I see no evidence of the state health department being required to help pay for the vaccine, so I’m suspicious.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:38 amYay for fascism!
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:41 amAn unproven “vaccine” being mandated by law, not to combat an epidemic mind you but rather to potentially combat a virus that could possibly lead to a development of cancer, is an astonishing development.
The moral implications are staggering and the infringement upon the rights of the individual (which include parental rights) are enormous.
Regardless of the potential or real benefits that this vaccine may have, it is wholly wrong and completely contrary to the free society concept under which we purportedly live to mandate through legislation that this vaccine be administered to MINORS. If the states want to pay for the vaccination and even administer them, that’s all just wonderful.
Unless there is an epidemic of cervical cancer that is spreading throughout the young female population of the United States that I am not aware of, then this story reeks of ulterior motives and an undeniable overreach by the state upon the rights of the individual that we so oft claim to be so dear and precious.
Forced vaccinations. Even the thought sends a chill down my spine.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:43 amSince when are forced vaccines a good idea? Polio and smallpox can spread to others in the population. I understand the reason for those vaccine, but to mandate a cancer vaccine–sure, tell your kids to get it if you want to, but don’t force it on the population. That smacks of intrusive government interference. What’s next–if Merck comes up other so-called miracle drugs that “might” prevent future illnesses, will they mandate them for the general popluace, and do we just line up like a bunch of sheep? No, thanks.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:46 am#8 – I completely disagree with you point that society in general, through its schools, is generally a better judge of what’s in the best interest of our children and my wife is also a teacher.
Overall, a very small percentage of parents could be classified as really bad parents (i.e. not caring about their children). You cannot take away the rights of the majority of parents because of the transgressions of a minority. I have never met a teacher or any other government employee who is actually more concerned about the health and welfare of my children than my wife and I are about our children.
Freedom means people may do stupid things you don’t like or agree with but it is their right and their kids are primarily their responsibility not socieities.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:47 amZooey,
Ohhh bull crap, the only way to get HPV is by SEX. Those other diseases could be caught with just innocent contact. That’s the difference. You have a choice of who you have sex with, and dont bring up rape, it’s an exception to the rule. Polio and Small pox are much easier to catch.
Condoms are still the answer..
You want to pump your child full of untested chemicals, be my guest.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:47 amCall me in 20 years.. I pray for your daughter this isn’t another Vioxx extended trial run.
http://www.vcnv.org/ project/ the-occupation-project
The Occupation Project
THE OCCUPATION PROJECT is a new effort initiated by UFPJ member organization Voices for Creative Nonviolence. The plan is to unfold a campaign of sustained nonviolent civil disobedience aimed at ending the U.S. war in and occupation of Iraq. The campaign begins with occupations at the offices of Representatives and Senators who refuse to pledge to vote against additional war funding.
Several UFPJ member groups, including CodePink, Peace Action, Veterans for Peace, After Downing Street, and a host of local groups from North Carolina to Alaska are all involved in this effort. United for Peace and Justice, as a national coalition, has also endorsed The Occupation Project.
Your group can find out more about this initiative, including how you can get involved, by visiting their website. Or you can contact the organizers via phone at 773-878-3815 or via email, occupationproject at vcnv.org
—————————————————————–
And if you haven’t already:
Click here and sign Peace Action’s “No War with Iran!†petition today!
http://www.peace-action.org/Iranpetition.html
This petition to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice rejects any U.S. military action against Iran and demands direct negotiations. Copies will go to Chairs of the Senate
——————————————————————–
http://www.vcnv.org/ project/ the-occupation-project
The Occupation Project
THE OCCUPATION PROJECT is a new effort initiated by UFPJ member organization Voices for Creative Nonviolence. The plan is to unfold a campaign of sustained nonviolent civil disobedience aimed at ending the U.S. war in and occupation of Iraq. The campaign begins with occupations at the offices of Representatives and Senators who refuse to pledge to vote against additional war funding.
Several UFPJ member groups, including CodePink, Peace Action, Veterans for Peace, After Downing Street, and a host of local groups from North Carolina to Alaska are all involved in this effort. United for Peace and Justice, as a national coalition, has also endorsed The Occupation Project.
Your group can find out more about this initiative, including how you can get involved, by visiting their website. Or you can contact the organizers via phone at 773-878-3815 or via email, occupationproject at vcnv.org
—————————————————————–
And if you haven’t already:
Click here and sign Peace Action’s “No War with Iran!†petition today!
http://www.peace-action.org/Iranpetition.html
This petition to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice rejects any U.S. military action against Iran and demands direct negotiations. Copies will go to Chairs of the Senate
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:05 pmRachel.
PLEASE stop spamming every thread with this.
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:11 pmhttp://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3456
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March 2nd, 2007 at 12:12 pm—————————————————————–
rachel,
These cut-n-paste OT posts don’t belong here. The ThinkFast thread is a good place for them to go, but they don’t need to be on every thread.
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:18 pmComment by M3Vega — March 2, 2007 @ 11:47 am
Thank you. I hope and pray you are right. My wife works at a school for troubled youth, and generally bad parents are the norm, not the exception, so I will admit my view is rather skewed. It’s nice to know there are parents out there that actually care.
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:23 pmI am happy to see the discourse about this subject. There is nothing Black and White about this issue and the rush to make this a manditory vaccine is a bit worrisome and somewhat bizzare. First point this is not a disease that is transmittable in classrooms, such as measles or mumps. Second making it manditory doesn’t make it anymore affordable as far as I know. Legislative efforts should be concentrating on making the vaccine more affordable and easier (convienent, is critical for us lazy americans) to get. Efforts should be made to increase awareness of HPV and cervical cancer (last I heard was that a woman has a 90% chance of having one of these 4 HPV strains by the time they are 90,or something like that). But to make a vaccine manditory for school children in which the communicability is only secondary to the school setting, I’m just not sure that is right. We all contact our congressmen on both sides of the aisle when they are potentially doing something stupid. This might be a time too when we should be strongly expressing our views and reservations. Just because this is a subject that bugs those neoconservative republicans for irrational reasons (Its going to increase promiscuity and all that garbage) doesn’t mean we should have a knee jerk reaction in the opposite direction.
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:26 pmI don’t know about the plan n Virginia, but in Texas the state is not actually paying for any of this. They are requiring the patients to pay for the privileged of being forced to get the vaccine. If states are going to require people to get it, the state should be paying for it. Otherwise they’re just yanking money out of people’s pocket’s and putting it into the bank accounts of the pharmaceutical industry.
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:32 pm#25,
“Parents that actually care” about their children are the undeniable statistical norm. By far.
If that is not the case in Texas or Virginia, then the least of their problems is the potential for cervical cancer.
Keep in mind that the most tried and true political method to sway a population is to sell something as being good for the children (review political speeches for references to “for our children” or “our children’s future”, etc…).
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:35 pmOops. Make that “#23″
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:37 pm#25,
Your circular logic is flawed. The “state” receives its money from the people. Therefore, the “people” pay for the vaccine whether it is paid for directly from their wallets or from the state fund that they are required to contribute to. Six one way, half dozen the other.
The issue truly is only about “forced vaccinations” and the financial aspects are irrelevant.
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:41 pmI’m in agreement with many TP items, but being from Texas where Gov. Perry just mandated the vaccine.. Even I find myself questioning this decision.
HPV isn’t smallpox, measles, or the mumps. It’s not going to spread throughout schools through casual contact. It doesn’t seem like a wise decision to force it on 6th grade girls who may be years from being sexually active. It should also be a choice that parents should have some say in.. I suppose they could opt out, but how many parents would even know that’s an option?
Further, men are the primary carriers of the disease. Men rarely show any symptoms and could infect several women and not even know it. Perry isn’t forcing it on boys though.
The benefits of a vaccine against a disease that causes cervical cancer is a valuable break through, but it’s new and should be treated as such. I don’t trust the FDA at all. Look at our poisonous processed food supply and all the numerous recalled drugs. It’s been shown that the FDA doesn’t operate in the public’s interest far too often.
March 2nd, 2007 at 1:07 pmI have enormous unease about this kind of vaccine being mandated, for all the reasons stated by other commentors. Having spent 15 years working for one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, I am even more uneasy. We already have a Medicare Part D bill/process that was written for and by the pharm and insurance industries. This “mandate” smacks of the same. Because this is a brand new vaccine, with NO track record, it should not be mandatory. Even if the states were paying for it (which evidently they are not…and it’s expensive. Think Thalidomide or DES. This SHOULD NOT be mandated!!
March 2nd, 2007 at 1:51 pmKelso,
The vaccine isn’t available for men, and it’s not really fair to say men are the primary carriers. Both sexes have the disease. It’s just generally more catastrophic for women. (since men don’t have a cervix). But it can cause cancer in males who are gay/bi.
Your other points I am 100% in agreement with you.
March 2nd, 2007 at 1:56 pmI’m surprised at how many liberals are jumping onboard with this. I am not. If there was an outbreak, then yes mandatory vaccination is a good thing. But the fact is that this is NOT an outbreak. Should parents have access to this? Absolutely. Should the government assist those who cannot afford it? Absolutely. Should the government force all girls to become vaccinated? No.
The things we currently must get vaccinated for were horrible diseases that spread easily and death was likely. This is not the case with HPV. It’s a good idea, but why should it be required by law?
Men can carry HPV too and transmit it to women. Why stop at young girls? Why not vaccinate everybody?
Because you can scare parents into wanting to protect their daughters from cervical cancer, you can’t scare them into infecting somebody else’s daughter. You see the difference? One is asking you to protect your daughter. The other is asking your son to do something to protect somebody else’s daughter.
Think about it for a second…
This just stinks of corruption.
Again, if this is truly safe and effective, great choice for parents to make. But this forced stuff scares the bejesus out of me…
March 2nd, 2007 at 2:40 pmThe reason I mention that men are the primary carriers is because they don’t get regular pap smears and checkups. As a man I could have it right now and not even know it, where as women are more likely to show visible symptoms or at least find out that they have displasia when they visit an OB/GYN.
Maybe it’s not really fair to say they are the primary carriers, but I only say that because men could spread it like wild fire and never know that they’re doing so.
March 2nd, 2007 at 2:53 pmThe government mandating vaccines is the same one that doesn’t want our kids to learn about condoms. Talk about a disconnect.
March 2nd, 2007 at 3:54 pmCan we VACCINATE that repugnant-repub rightwingnut crank and “Steer Queer” Rick Perry with some ACTIVE ANTHRAX CULTURES?
March 2nd, 2007 at 4:03 pmKelso,
Good point… thanks again for reminding me.
If my memory is right there are like 18 or something different strains of HPV, so ya unless it’s the kind that causes warts a man would never know, and from what I remember in Sex Ed, the kind that causes warts is not the kind that causes Cancer..
Lynne,
Well because they don’t want people to learn about how to have less children, must keep those poor, poorer willing to work for crap wages.
March 2nd, 2007 at 4:33 pmI’m sorry. Cervical cancer is not communicable by casual means. Nobody is going to inject my kids with a drug they don’t need just because a major pharmaceutical company needs some bottom line dollars.
To hell with you, and to hell with telling me and my children what they have to be protected from. I saw what happened to our servicemen and women when you injected them with drugs to protect them from various maladies.
Leave our bodies alone, dammit.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:28 pmAs health care providers, we want to put prevention first and we understand that prevention, education, and widespread vaccination are the best ways to eradicate cervical cancer. We supported the legislation to make it a school-entry requirement in Virginia provided that these 4 conditions were met: provide adequate funding, both private and public, to ensure that all girls can afford it; meet all CDC recommendations for routine immunizations up to grade 7; allow the usual opt-out policies available to parents for other vaccines; provide public education program through schools, doctors, and departments of health.
The last condition is crucial to helping parents understand why this vaccine matters. As it is, there are a lot of myths and misperceptions about the vaccine.
Click here for the CDC’s Fact Sheet on HPV and Gardasil:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/hpv-vaccine.pdf
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia
March 6th, 2007 at 2:40 pmWhy only Girls?
The goal of school vaccinations is to wipe out the disease. If boys carry the virus, why are only girls vaccinated? This will be the court challenge that overturns the law.
March 13th, 2007 at 9:44 am