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Backlash Grows Over Mandatory STD Shots
Express-News Austin Bureau ^ | 02/06/07 | Janet Elliott

Posted on 02/06/2007 8:45:52 AM PST by Froufrou

Gov. Rick Perry stood firm Monday against a political firestorm ignited by his order that sixth-grade girls be inoculated against a sexually transmitted disease that can cause cervical cancer.

Social conservatives from Austin to Washington joined some state lawmakers in calling for Perry to reverse his executive order making Texas the first state to mandate the human papillomavirus vaccine for girls entering sixth grade in September 2008.

Several legislators expressed outrage that Perry circumvented the legislative process. Several bills had been filed to make the HPV shots mandatory for school enrollment.

"This needs closer examination. How much will it cost the state?" Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Jane Nelson, R-Lewisville, said at a news conference.

"Most importantly, as a mother of four daughters I want to make sure our daughters' health is protected and parental rights are preserved."

Another senator, Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, said he'd file legislation to reverse Perry's order, which he said was not in the best interest of the state.

Parents will be able to opt their 11- and 12-year-old daughters out of the program, as they can for other required vaccines.

As speculation swirled about why Perry risked angering his conservative base, political observers said the governor is showing newfound independence and may be trying to raise his national profile as a potential vice presidential candidate.

The governor's spokesman also indicated that first lady Anita Perry's strong support for the vaccine might have played a role in the decision. A former nurse and the daughter of a doctor, Anita Perry works for an organization dealing with sexual assaults.

"I know they have discussed it, and it's something they both feel very strongly about," the spokesman, Robert Black, said.

In a statement, Perry addressed criticism that the vaccine could send a message that teenage sex is permissible.

"Providing the HPV vaccine doesn't promote sexual promiscuity any more than providing the Hepatitis B vaccine promotes drug use," he said.

"If the medical community developed a vaccine for lung cancer, would the same critics oppose it claiming it would encourage smoking?"

Perry's office said it would cost the state $29 million for its share of inoculating students who are uninsured or on government health programs. Federal funds also will be available for children on Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Federal health authorities last year recommended girls and young women get the vaccine, which prevents infection by four common strains of the HPV virus, which can cause cervical cancer years after infection.

Cervical cancer accounts for 3,700 deaths a year in the United States, including nearly 400 in Texas.

House Ways and Means Chairman Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, said he supports the vaccine but noted that other state legislatures have decided not to make it mandatory.

"What kind of deal was made?" asked Keffer, referring to comments by Cathie Adams, president of Texas Eagle Forum, that Perry's political ties with drug company Merck may have influenced the decision.

Perry's office has denied he was influenced by anything other than health concerns. His ex-chief of staff, Mike Toomey, is a lobbyist for Merck and Perry got $6,000 in contributions from the drug manufacturer's political action committee.

Black said Perry and Toomey never discussed the issue, and noted the Merck campaign contributions were relatively small.

"The governor is very pro-life, and he views this as protecting life," Black said. "The human race has never had an opportunity to prevent cancer. Not to pursue that opportunity, the governor believes that would be morally reprehensible."

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick both said Perry did not consult them. Craddick said he didn't have a position on the issue. Dewhurst said he would prefer a voluntary vaccination program.

GOP consultant Royal Masset said he thinks Perry wants to be considered as a national leader. Perry talked about international terrorism and immigration reform in his inaugural address.

"Health care is one of the most powerful issues we're going to be dealing with nationally," Masset said.

Meanwhile, a Christian group knocked the Texas governor in a Washington update mailed to supporters Monday.

Tony Perkins with Family Research Council said, "By commandeering this issue, Gov. Perry, who has championed family values, has only succeeded in arousing more mistrust."


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: govwatch; health
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To: kinoxi
There are numerous vaccinations required to attend public schools. You think this one is poisoned?

No, I think this one is unecessary from a public health standpoint. If my kid doesn't get the vaccine then what? How is she going to give your kid cervical cancer? This isn't something the government needs to mandate.

321 posted on 02/07/2007 10:48:59 AM PST by BearCub
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To: HonestConservative

Ping to this thread and I'll be back with another:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1780480/posts


322 posted on 02/07/2007 10:52:01 AM PST by Froufrou
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To: BearCub

I respect your point but disagree here. Partial elimination of the pain and suffering from cancer is a worthwhile cause IMO.


323 posted on 02/07/2007 10:53:18 AM PST by kinoxi
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To: HonestConservative

ping

http://www.freemarket.org/portal/pdf/Facts%20on%20the%20Vaccine.pdf


324 posted on 02/07/2007 10:53:20 AM PST by Froufrou
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To: BearCub

I agree that it should not be mandated, however it truly has not been. If there are a half dozen ways out of it, then its not madatory.

"I'm a Christian and premarital sex is against Gods law".

You're out.

I do wonder what a chaste daughter will think at 30 having been given the news that she has cervical cancer, after she finds out that the man she thought had always been faithful will think about her parents who denied her the opportunity for a good defense against a disease that might well kill her.

Yep, the parents have the right to do just that. Just hope they are ready for it.

Wonder if the reactions here would be the same if virus transmission was unknown?


325 posted on 02/07/2007 10:57:09 AM PST by HonestConservative (The soldier is the profession which permits all the others to exist.......Mark Steyn)
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To: Froufrou

Familiar with both. Sorry we cannot agree.

Just think its tragic that the development of what is a miraculous prevention tool is greated in the way it has.

I suppose those folks who are able to work and develop such things shouldn't be bothered.

They do it because they too have mothers and sisters and grandmothers and daughters, just like everyone.


326 posted on 02/07/2007 11:03:33 AM PST by HonestConservative (The soldier is the profession which permits all the others to exist.......Mark Steyn)
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To: HonestConservative

Well, she could have gotten the vaccine at 18. She'll be an adult and can make up her mind then.


327 posted on 02/07/2007 11:10:53 AM PST by luckystarmom
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To: luckystarmom

Yep. That'll work.

Others who have already been infected by Uncle Jake won't be so lucky.


328 posted on 02/07/2007 11:11:50 AM PST by HonestConservative (The soldier is the profession which permits all the others to exist.......Mark Steyn)
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To: HonestConservative

"They do it because they too have mothers and sisters and grandmothers and daughters, just like everyone."

They do it for $$$ [/starry-eyed.]

I'm sorry we can't agree, too. The reality is they haven't been completely honest from the beginning. Violation of trust is something I take very seriously.

But that's just me.


329 posted on 02/07/2007 11:18:30 AM PST by Froufrou
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To: Froufrou

"They do it for the $$$$"

Yep, that's what ALL Dr.s Nurses and Scientists do it for.

/s

It's a moot point anywho.

Just FYI, pretty soon you won't have to worry about it, because their will be very few of them for you to have to be troubled with.


330 posted on 02/07/2007 11:23:38 AM PST by HonestConservative (The soldier is the profession which permits all the others to exist.......Mark Steyn)
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To: kinoxi

My brother died of cancer. I would not mandate a vaccine for cancer for anyone, even if it eliminated it in most people.

I would highly encourage people to take the vaccine.

The only caveat are for vaccines for highly contagious illnesses (air borne) with very deadly or serious complications like polio and small pox (and I mean quantity of death and complications, not just a few).


331 posted on 02/07/2007 11:24:12 AM PST by luckystarmom
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To: Froufrou

Do you know the history of vaccination testing? Like what was the sample sizes used for the smallpox, dyptheria, polio etc vaccinations?

What was the potential and actual mortality per year per disease? What are the stats since the vacs have been in place?

And what sample size would be large enough to make this vaccine valid?

AND, with an HPV infection rate of nearly 80% in the college age female population, what would YOU do if you had the power to do something?

Personally, you know my stand. :)


332 posted on 02/07/2007 11:28:12 AM PST by najida (Campers laugh at clowns behind closed doors.)
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To: HonestConservative

I'm a doctor's daughter. He taught me to question that which does not pass the smell test.

It's a lesson that has served me well. By 'few of them to be troubled with' I presume you mean socialized medicine. And yet you don't see how this mandate helps that along.


333 posted on 02/07/2007 11:33:36 AM PST by Froufrou
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To: najida

http://www.freemarket.org/portal/pdf/Facts%20on%20the%20Vaccine.pdf

Your point being that no vaccine/injection/medicine is without risk.

And, respectfully, you know where I stand.


334 posted on 02/07/2007 11:37:04 AM PST by Froufrou
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To: HonestConservative

My honest opinion is that if HPV was transmitted in an unknown fashion, then these threads wouldn't exist.

While there are good posters with decent arguments, the majority of those 'anti' are the 'let the sluts die' crowd.

Which, makes this whole debate ugly. No matter how valid the other arguments. So, with that in mind, I refuse to even remotely side with the anti's.


335 posted on 02/07/2007 11:37:42 AM PST by najida (Campers laugh at clowns behind closed doors.)
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To: Froufrou
Exactly.

Honestly, if everyone here were asking your question, this would be a sane debate. Sadly, you're in with the Sodom & Gomorrah group which wouldn't give a rats patootie if this was the safest vaccine ever made.

It's about sex and a death sentence that they feel is deserved.
336 posted on 02/07/2007 11:40:11 AM PST by najida (Campers laugh at clowns behind closed doors.)
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To: najida

Naj, can you send me a link to a 'let the sluts die' post? I haven't seen anything like that and I agree, that's just plain ugly.


337 posted on 02/07/2007 11:41:21 AM PST by Froufrou
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To: Froufrou

I saw something 5 minutes about about it being called a 'slut shot'.

I'll go find it.

Like I said, if it were any other vaccine, we wouldn't be discussing it.


338 posted on 02/07/2007 11:43:21 AM PST by najida (Campers laugh at clowns behind closed doors.)
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To: Froufrou

This thread has many delightful posts!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1780480/posts


339 posted on 02/07/2007 11:45:12 AM PST by najida (Campers laugh at clowns behind closed doors.)
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To: Froufrou

I have already stated that I disagree with any mandatory law on this, this so called mandate is certainly not one with all of the escape clauses in it.

What is wonderful is the opportunity for prevention and that so many seem to be overlooking it.

It is also sick to think that only profit drives researchers. Simply not the case. But those who choose to believe otherwise, do so because they want to.






340 posted on 02/07/2007 11:47:43 AM PST by HonestConservative (The soldier is the profession which permits all the others to exist.......Mark Steyn)
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