I've been trying to write an entry on this issue, but I keep getting too upset.
Even putting aside the false security of the vaccine (the vaccine will give protection against certain strains of HPV, but not all), and the safety concerns, this is truly repugnant.
This vaccine is in no way analogous to the highly contagious diseases that we normally vaccinate against. I'm generally pretty anti vaccine anyway, but presumably vaccinating kids against diseases like Diptheria, which could spread like wildfire in a classroom situation and is very difficult to treat, is whole world away from vaccinating against an STD, which is spread by intercourse.
Further, we're talking about eleven year old girls here. What kind of a message are we sending them (yet again)? Just because women are the ones that are at risk for developing cervical cancer as a result of HPV DOES NOT MEAN we are SOLELY responsible for its prevention, and preventing the spread of the disease. Whatever happened to education? Whatever happened to options? Heck, if the government is really that concerned about the cervical health of young women, why not make the vaccine available without parental consent, so young girls who are sexually active can access it if they wish?
In all honestly, I can't see this lasting. Govenor Perry is already getting tremendous pressure to rescind the ruling.
no subject
Even putting aside the false security of the vaccine (the vaccine will give protection against certain strains of HPV, but not all), and the safety concerns, this is truly repugnant.
This vaccine is in no way analogous to the highly contagious diseases that we normally vaccinate against. I'm generally pretty anti vaccine anyway, but presumably vaccinating kids against diseases like Diptheria, which could spread like wildfire in a classroom situation and is very difficult to treat, is whole world away from vaccinating against an STD, which is spread by intercourse.
Further, we're talking about eleven year old girls here. What kind of a message are we sending them (yet again)? Just because women are the ones that are at risk for developing cervical cancer as a result of HPV DOES NOT MEAN we are SOLELY responsible for its prevention, and preventing the spread of the disease. Whatever happened to education? Whatever happened to options? Heck, if the government is really that concerned about the cervical health of young women, why not make the vaccine available without parental consent, so young girls who are sexually active can access it if they wish?
In all honestly, I can't see this lasting. Govenor Perry is already getting tremendous pressure to rescind the ruling.