I'd like to see those indications. From the APIC:
An immune challenge study was conducted to determine the presence of immune memory responses. The presence of immune memory is the hallmark of hepatitis B and other long-term protective vaccines. An immune memory response will allow women with low, negligible or non-detectable anti-HPV levels to mount an extremely robust anti-HPV response and abort infections. In the immune challenge study, a dose of GARDASIL® was given to ~240 subjects in the vaccine and placebo groups who had been followed for five years. The results demonstrated that administration of GARDASIL® induced robust immune memory and a strong anamnestic response to HPV 6/11/16/18.
Last month, Merck applied for a supplemental license from FDA with more data on immune memory, evidence it's even more effective against cervical cancer than previously claimed, and evidence that it offers some protection against vaginal and vulvar cancer. The last part isn't a surprise, but they have to wait for data before they can make that claim. HPV causes lots of nasty diseases to people of both sexes, virgins (e.g. RRP) or sexually active people, and the sooner it's approved for wider use the better.
Wiping out debilitating, expensive diseases is a Good Thing. Think of it as a long-term investment, like building an aircraft carrier. It may hurt now, but you'll be grateful you have it a few years from now -- and you'll be grateful we did it ourselves, instead of selling the technology to the Chinese.
Still, wouldn't be the last vaccine to loose potency over time, and given the genetic variability in this country one would suppose they've tracked a scientifically selected and stratified sample of 1,000 or more girls, right?
However, if the purpose is to protect girls who are going to fall into the category of those who attempt to defy statistics, we'd certainly want them vaccinated at the correct age, and as many times thereafter as possible ~ weekly if need be.
None of this justifies forced vaccination though. It's not like the girls are going to be spreading measles with their mere presence eh.
“Wiping out debilitating, expensive diseases is a Good Thing.”
Regardless of the benefit-cost ratio? One problem with mandating this vaccine is that cervical cancer is rare, and early detection of cell abnormalities through annual pap smear exams has dramatically reduced its incidence and morbidity. At $360 per vaccination, the marginal benefit-cost ratio is likely to be extremely low.
The government has NO RIGHT to mandate a vaccine for a disease that can’t be passed by sitting next to someone in class.