HPV Vaccine Debate

[zealousheart]

The general idea...

Federal health authorities have recommended that Gardasil, the vaccine, be given to girls as young as 11 to ensure they are protected from the human papilloma virus (HPV) before they become sexually active.

Texas has become the first battleground: this month it became the first state to mandate HPV vaccination for girls entering the sixth grade. Rick Perry, governor, bypassed the legislature to push the move, issuing an executive order requiring vaccination.

Even though the order allowed parents to opt out of their children receiving the vaccine, it incensed some conservatives, igniting a debate over whether a drugmaker was forcing a vaccine on children at great cost to state budgets.
-http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17302434/

Additionally new info has just come to light...
One in four US women ages 14 to 59 is infected with human pappiloma virus, a sexually transmitted disease.
-http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/6170751.html

Some forms of HPV can cause cervical cancer.

What do you guys think about this issue? Should the vaccine be required or not?

[Ashlyn]

I have a lot of personal tie-ins that influence my opinion on this, and I want to be up front about that, but, to me it's a no-brainer.

This could save LIVES.

... and I have serious doubts about the sanity of parents who make their children opt-out on this. Whether or not they want to believe it, their kids might decide to have pre-marital sex, and death/cancer doesn't HAVE to be a consequence.

I guess that's the ultimate punishment for disobedience, but it just seems like horrible parenting to me.

[oclover24]

I think it's a great idea, but we need to learn more about the vaccination, considering most of us have known about it for less than a year or so, before we start vaccinating every woman.

People that don't vaccinate their kids annoy me so much - it is almost child abuse to not vaccinate them. Those kids that don't have these vaccinations are suspectible to many numbers of diseases, and they could be the cause of the resurection of them. For example, polio and smallpox have basically been eradicated from the world, but because certain people aren't vaccinated, there is a strong chance that it could be brought back. It already has in places like India.

Anyway, that's a weird tangent. My point is, protect your kids and give them this vaccine, once it has been tested some more.

[OTH man]

i don't see why not

"it may cost us money! I mean really, whats more important money or lives?"

:drunk:

[*Ashlee*]

I have to say I would agree with this. My younger friend contracted this virus from her first sexual partner and it was TERRIBLE to get rid of. She had cancer tests and everything because of abnormal cells and went through some PAINFUL procedures to get rid of it!

[Ashlyn]

Well, it looks like we're all in agreement on this one.

I wonder what arguments the opponents are using?

Is it just the money? Do they think it condones sex at a young age?

Hmm. I may have to look into this.

ETA: Okay, I explored some.


Conservative groups say they welcome the vaccine as an important public health tool but oppose making it mandatory. "Some people have raised the issue of whether this vaccine may be sending an overall message to teen-agers that, 'We expect you to be sexually active," said Reginald Finger, a doctor trained in public health who served as a medical analyst for Focus on the Family before being appointed to the ACIP in 2003.

"There are people who sense that it could cause people to feel like sexual behaviors are safer if they are vaccinated and may lead to more sexual behavior because they feel safe," said Finger, emphasizing he does not endorse that position and is withholding judgment until the issue comes before the vaccine policy panel for a formal recommendation.

Conservative medical groups have been fielding calls from concerned parents and organizations, officials said.
"I've talked to some who have said, 'This is going to sabotage our abstinence message,' " said Gene Rudd, associate executive director of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations. But Rudd said most people change their minds once they learn more, adding he would probably want his children immunized. Rudd, however, draws the line at making the vaccine mandatory.

"Parents should have the choice. There are those who would say, 'We can provide a better, healthier alternative than the vaccine, and that is to teach abstinence,' " Rudd said.

The council plans to meet Wednesday to discuss the issue. On the same day, the Medical Institute for Sexual Health in Austin, Texas, which advises conservative groups on sexuality and health issues, is convening a one-day meeting to develop a position statement.
Alan Kaye, executive director of the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, likened the vaccine to wearing a seat belt.
"Just because you wear a seat belt doesn't mean you're seeking out an accident," Kaye said.

From HERE (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/10/31/MNG2LFGJFT1.DTL).

How do we feel about this?

I appreciate the fact that they see how good this vaccine could be for people. Once again, I just don't like the parents belief that teaching abstinence-only is a better plan. I'm not saying they shouldn't teach it, but this could be very helpful in the event that their child DOES become sexually active. I personally know a girl who was raised under a strict policy of abstinence-only, but she became sexually active, and she talked about how much she wanted the HPV vaccine, but she wasn't sure where to get it and was scared to talk to her parents (she couldn't drive to a place to get it), because of their strict beliefs, and she contracted the virus. She could get cancer, and a mandated vaccine would prevent these situations from happening. Honestly, I don't even think parents should be able to "opt-out."

If the parents argument against premarital sex would be completely weakened by the fact that this particular disease might not kill them, than they need to re-think their approach, if you ask me.

[Heather]

Since Ashlyn posted what Conservative politicians felt about it...I have to wonder, what is the opinion of liberal politicians?

[BellaBlack]

^I have no idea, but I also agree. Although I'm with Christine, they should research and study the vaccine 100% before they release it.

[Kari]

It has been studied and it has been released here. I talked to a doctor about it. She says it is a blessing.
It prevents the most frequent cause of death for women between 14 and 45.

[Ashlyn]

Since Ashlyn posted what Conservative politicians felt about it...I have to wonder, what is the opinion of liberal politicians?

I looked into this, and for some reason I couldn't find much information. If they're agreeing with the liberal bloggers, they're for the vaccination, of course, but I don't know if most of them are for making in mandated or simply having it recommended.

[california9]

what if in a few years they relize that the after affects are killing or something of that nature

[oclover24]

A state senator in Minnesota introduced a bill to make the vaccine mandatory, and I think she was a Democrat. She just dropped the bill though, because people were protesting.

[california9]

i wouldnt jumpup front and get it right away i mean people should be having safe sex any way so you shuld still be protecting your self from otherthings as well don't just get the vacsine and say im compleatly safe vecause you might not be.

[Ashlyn]

I don't think anybody who gets the HPV vaccine will believe they're being vaccinated from all sexually transmitted diseases, as long as parents and sex education programs do their jobs. Also, the FDA has approved the vaccine, so it seems pretty safe to me.

[california9]

you do have apoint

[BellaBlack]

FDA approved it? Does anyone know if/when it'll be on the market then?

[oclover24]

^ It is already out there...my best friend got the shot.

[BellaBlack]

Seriously? I thought it was only introduced in some states!

[oclover24]

I wasn't sure if it was out until my best friend said she got it. :shrugs:

[zealousheart]

Yeah my doctor said I could get it. Unfortunately it's expensive, it costs like $200 and I think insurance doesn't cover it. She said that she went to a convention of doctors and they said it was sad that people aren't getting it hence the large promos.

[oclover24]

I really want to get it. I'm not sexually active at the moment, but I think it's important to get it anyways.

[BellaBlack]

I'm not sexually active either but I would want to take it for the future.

[Ashlyn]

Will the HPV vaccine be covered by insurance plans?
While some insurance companies may cover the vaccine, others may not. Most large insurance plans usually cover the costs of recommended vaccines. However, there is often a short lag-time after a vaccine is recommended, before it is available and covered by health plans.

From here (http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-vaccine.htm).

Hopefully insurance companies will start covering the vaccine.

[Kari]

Here they do..some up to the age of 18, most until the age of 26.

[Ashlyn]

So, does the fact that some insurance providers only cover it until 18, and the fact that parents can "opt-out" mean that parents can keep their children from being able to get the vaccine with insurance coverage? Because if that's the case, it feels very wrong.

[Kari]

well...you can decide about that before 18 actually, since it is a medical matter.
It is like with the pill, which you can take without your parents' agreement..okay, bad comparism, but however.