Welcome to the forum thread for "The HPV Vaccine: Should States Mandate Its Use?" This is the Justice Talking show for the week of July 2 - 8.

Nearly half of the states are now considering laws that would require girls entering sixth grade to be vaccinated against the cervical cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV). The move raises important questions about the best way to encourage the use of a vaccine which has the potential of reducing cervical cancer. Will immunizing girls lead to more premarital sex as some parents and conservative groups fear? Should the vaccine’s manufacturer who has a financial stake in widespread use of the vaccine be pushing mandates? On this edition of Justice Talking we take a look at how the law affects health policy and whether mandating this vaccine is the best approach.

Please post your comments on this Justice Talking issue using this thread.

Thanks for your participation!

Laura Sider
Outreach Coordinator

I do not believe that states should mandate the use of the HPV vaccine. There are have been other vaccines that are mandatory  - that are now being scrutinized and investigated for creating health problems in those who have participated in these vaccination programs. I also am concerned due to the chicken pox vaccine, which now appears to be causing problems in older children and young adults. I think that it should be a choice made by parents, physicians, and their children. There should always be freedom of choice. This country is still free, isn't it?

I first learned about HPV in 1990 when I was studying immunology for my MOS with the Army- Med Lab Tech. Back then I learned about it's possible link with cervical cancer.  That was 17 years ago. Why is it only NOW that the media is bringing it up or talking about it? Few students were told in health classes that one of the most pernicious killers of women could be contracted from having sex. Why? Why are they warning teens now?  I'll tell you why: because now is when the Pharmacuetical companies are trying to force the government to become their biggest client.   This isn't about young girls being saved from themselves. This is about politics as usual in the US: nothing happens until big companies or an industry is concerned ... And we seem not to learn our lessons. Whether it's this, the War in Iraq or even our interventions in the past century in central and south America ... always about the Big money ... while Americans blissfully follow the call of the Media Shepherds. It really pisses me off to see how many people are concerned now, 17 years after I heard about it and have told my students about it over and over.

 

Should the states mandate its use, Sure, Only if the Companies give the vaccines to the states as charity.

Otherwise screw them and their wallents.

 

Josue Matos

Compulsory vaccination of a select population group not old enough to give consent requires pause.  Human sexuality is loaded with control issues ... if you don't behave ... we will vaccinate!

In our information age it is possible to get the word out and let parents, daughters, and doctors make recommendations and decisions.