Cervical Cancer Shot May Be Standard In 6th Grade

The Indy Channel ^ | September 12, 2006 | AP

[Abathar]

A bipartisan group of Michigan lawmakers wants all sixth-grade girls to be vaccinated against cervical cancer.

A Republican state senator who is the lead sponsor said it's the first legislation of its kind in the U.S.

The vaccine was approved by federal regulators this summer and hailed as a breakthrough in cancer prevention. The shots prevent infections from strains of a sexually transmitted virus -- human papilloma virus, or HPV -- that can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.

At the time, conservatives expressed concern that schools would require the vaccine for enrollment. They argue that such mandates infringe on parents' rights and send a message that underage sex is OK.

If approved, the measure would go into effect for the next school year.

The vaccine was approved for females between ages 9 and 26. In studies, it was credited with preventing disease from the two types of HPV that are responsible for approximately 70 percent of all cervical cancers, according to Detroit television station WDIV.

The legislator who proposed the requirement noted that, as with all other school-required vaccines, parents may opt out of this requirement for medical, religious or philosophical reasons.

[mombonn]

A Republican state senator who is the lead sponsor said it's the first legislation of its kind in the U.S.

Correction: A RINO state senator who is the lead sponsor said it's the first legislation of its kind in the U.S.

No way would I do this to my daughter if she were that age.

[bvw]

Idiocy. Hysterical idiocy molded into legislation.

[hunter112]

Here's how I see it: Where the parents are paying attention to what's going on in their daughter's life, they opt out. If the parent(s) is NOT paying attention, that shot could save that kid's life.

[Jeff Gordon]

I can understand schools requiring immunization against communicable dieases that spread during ordinary activity. It is necessary to protect the kids from one another.

That is not the case for this disease. It is a STD. It is communicated from males to females via sexual intercourse.

While it may be wise to immunize young girls, it should not be a requirement. Besides intruding on the rights of the parents there may be unknown long term effects.

This is but one more rational for home schooling.

[mewzilla]

In studies, it was credited with preventing disease from the two types of HPV that are responsible for approximately 70 percent of all cervical cancers, according to Detroit television station WDIV.

This isn't a panacea in any case.

[LIConFem]

"If the parent(s) is NOT paying attention, that shot could save that kid's life."

It's the parents' responsibility, not the govt's.

[freedomfiter2]

It is a STD. It is communicated from males to females via sexual intercourse.


The government schools encourage the girls to act like sluts. This is just to elimiinate some of the side effects.

[Clara Lou]

What is the logic of rejecting a treatment that prevent CANCER?

[Jeff Gordon]

I am not familiar with this disease. It is obviously transmitted by promiscuity. Can it also be transmitted in (real) monogamous relations?

[tkathy]

All they're going to do is create more resistant bacteria. Idiots.

[sonofagun]

All they're going to do is create more resistant bacteria. Idiots.

This is a virus they are talking about.

[mombonn]

I should clarify - I do not support making it mandatory.

When and if a young woman is vaccinated should be up to her and/or her parents.

Personally, this vaccination makes me nervous. It seems like it has been rushed to market.

[Wolfie]

What is the logic of rejecting a treatment that prevent CANCER?

Puritannical hogwash. If the situation was reversed, and men got cancer from HPV, the vaccine would have been mandatory the day it was developed.

[southlake_hoosier]

http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/g/gardasil/gardasil_ppi.pdf

http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/g/gardasil/gardasil_pi.pdf

I don't like it, and would fight against it being forced on my daughter or granddaughters.

[TheBattman]

If schools are giving out birth control to 6th graders, carrying girls to abortion clinics without parental concent, why not give them a shot to prevent an STD...???


[/sarcasm]

[southlake_hoosier]

Personally, this vaccination makes me nervous. It seems like it has been rushed to market.

You've got that right. All these big drug companies have to do is flash a little cash in the right direction.

[linda_22003]

And I most likely would, but it should definitely be a parent's, not a legislator's, decision.

[verity]

You are causing knee dislocations. ;-)

[Notwithstanding]

Its a sex cancer caused by casual sex.

There is the unusual occurence of a promiscuous** man giving it to a non-promiscuous woman, assuming that a non-promiscuous woman ends up marrried to a promiscuous man.

Which means a 6th grader is not going to get it unless she is promiscuous or raped.




**promiscuity: any sex outside of marriage