Florida may require vaccine for girls

Some key state lawmakers want to require Florida girls to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease that causes cervical cancer.
BY MARC CAPUTO

TALLAHASSEE - Top Florida lawmakers want every 11- and 12-year-old girl in the state to get a vaccination that would protect them before they risk getting a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical cancer.

The proposal, backed by Republicans and Democrats, mirrors legislation under consideration in about 20 other states, including Texas, where Gov. Rick Perry issued an executive order Friday that bypassed state lawmakers to mandate the vaccine.

Proponents describe the vaccine Gardasil as a life-saver. Clinical trials show the vaccine blocks four types of the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus, which causes genital warts and about 70 percent of all cervical-cancer cases. The World Health Organization lists cervical cancer as the second most common cancer among women.

Dr. Martin Myers, director of the nonprofit and independent National Network for Immunization Information, said he's ''wildly enthusiastic'' about Gardasil, describing it as a ``milestone in public health.''

But he said he is concerned about immunizing so many people so fast. His big worry: It would spook parents who would decide to opt out of other immunizations such as for measles and diphtheria.

''This might be too fast,'' Myers said. ``There are many moral, ethical and social issues that have not been fully discussed yet.''

A number of Christian activists say they're concerned that the measure -- though it would allow parents to opt out -- would nevertheless promote promiscuity in children. And they point out the legislation right now benefits just one pharmaceutical firm, Merck & Co.

Merck, which stands to earn more than $1 billion next year from Gardasil, helps fund Women in Government, an advocacy group touting the vaccine, and helped write the proposed legislation.

If mandated in Florida public schools, Gardasil would be the only vaccine to guard against a noncontagious disease. The bill calls for the shots next school year and would affect at least 60,000 Florida girls.

State Rep. Ed Homan, a Tampa Republican and an orthopedic surgeon, said he's pushing Gardasil for one reason: It works.

''This has to do with health. Not religion. Not sex,'' Homan said. ``There are people who don't want their kids to have measles vaccines and mumps vaccines. That's fine. If they want their kids to get sick, they can opt out. If we had let this mentality reign years ago, polio would be a major crisis today.''

The vaccine's three shots add up to $360, but Homan and Merck say it costs much more money to treat cancer victims than to prevent their disease. Nationwide, about 10,000 women yearly get cervical cancer; 3,700 die from it.

Conservative activist Carol Griffin, of the Eagle Forum family group, said she understands trying to save lives, but she doesn't like government giving such strong approval to a vaccine closely linked with sex.

''What's the message here in Florida? It looks like they're trying to increase the sexual activity of our young girls,'' Griffin said.

Griffin also questioned the claims of Merck, which faced lawsuits over claims about the safety of the drug Vioxx, and just won approval for Gardasil in June. Gardasil is in use in a number of state and federal programs for the poor.

''What's this going to do to people in 20 years? They don't know. There are side effects,'' Griffin said, echoing similar concerns from the Florida Catholic Conference, which is lobbying to allow parents to opt in to the program, rather than requiring them to opt out.

The Florida legislation has yet to be debated in any committee heading into this spring's 60-day lawmaking session. A spokeswoman for Gov. Charlie Crist said he is busy with Central Florida tornado relief efforts and hasn't taken a position on the legislation.

The bill likely will have a tougher time in the more conservative House than in the moderate Senate, where Catholic conservative Mike Fasano, a Port Richey Republican, is sponsoring it with former Senate President Jim King, the Jacksonville Republican who chairs the rules and calendar committees.

Fasano gave a similar reason for backing this legislation. ''In the end, this saves lives,'' Fasano said.
Source

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

I do not think that it is the state/ schools place to decide that this particualr vaccination is required. If parents can opt out of having their child recieve it (which I think the article said they could do) I don't see as much of a problem, but ordering girls to recieve a new vaccine that is sex related seems like an invasion of privacy to me.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

i read an article in the gym today (while on the eliptical machine) it was either redbook or good housekeeping (i dont rmember) it was a feb issue w/ marcia cross on the cover

anyway, there was an article saying that there are new vaccines for 3 diseases out (beyond the ones we get as infants and young children) and parents should take their teenage children to get them

the article also strongly suggested that parents should take their 11-12 yr old daughters to get the HPV vaccine

i think it's a great idea for girls to get the vaccine for HPV

women under the age of 25 are the largest age group to get HPV and not know they have it. it is very easy to spread

Message edited 2/7/2007 3:17:38 PM.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

My FSIL is going through HPV caused cervical cancer right now. If I could save my daughter from going through it I would in a heartbeat. I'd pay the $360 myself.

I don't get the whole "It's going to cause people to opt out of other vaccines" or "It's going to promote promiscuity in children". From what I've seen, most parents are either into vaccines or they aren't, I don't know anyone who opted out of many. Delayed yes, but not completely opted out of.

And I knew several girls in high school and college who were on the pill for ovarian cysts and were virgins.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

Message edited 2/7/2007 3:20:55 PM.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

I wish I had the opportunity to get it, would have saved me alot in medical treatments and may have saved my fertility which seems to be in question b/c of my history with HPV.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

If the government can require other vaccines why not this one? It will save girls from the possibility of having to deal with HPV/cervical cancer in the future, I think its a great idea.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

i dont think it should be" required" because its not an airborne disease thats contagious. BUT , i do however think this is a tremedous break thru. and any vaccine that will keep my dd cancer free is most definitly a vaccine she will be getting.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

I agree the vaccine is a wonderful breakthrough but I not going to lie that I am always a little nervous about "new" vaccines, medicines etc. Who knows what they will say the effects could be in ten years from this vaccine, I believe that parents should have the choice.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

Is there a maximum age for when a girl can get the vaccine, or is there a cutoff age, where it would not be effective?

I think as a parent, I would prefer to have the choice about having my daughter have the vaccine. Like other drugs, I think I would want to see if there were side effects to the vaccine, but I guess by the time I would have a 12 year old, they will know that.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

New vaccines make me nervous. I always wonder if there will be a side effect down the road.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

I don't know about this... It just sounds like another bandwagon to hop on. Honestly, and I was talking to my mom about it, encourage safe sex and gynocological testing. Who's to say what the repercussions are going to be from this 20 years from now.


Call me a skeptic, but ladies and gentlemen, the medical drug industry is huge...we should know by now that quick bucks are a priority. I mean, how many women on here are STILL paying for the BC Pills???

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

This is simply ridiculous! What's next, having laws enacted to force underage girls to wear chastity belts.

Why don't they use the money more wisely by putting the money and energy towards promoting more familiy values and/or safe sex prevention? Seems like they are working backwards.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

Absolutely NOT.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

I don't believe it should be mandatory, because there will always be people out there who will make a stink....
I also think about possible side effects later on.....

BUT, if I could get the vaccine, I would have, and without a doubt, my daughter will too, when and if I have one. And hopefully that will be enough time to see the effects, if any.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

My niece just got the first of three shots preventing that disease. She's 13, and is not sexually active, but my sister figured "It's free, why not?"

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

I can understand why they want to do this (I was reading about it being required in TX), but would have worries because its a new vaccine.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

just wanted to add my thoughts
i agree its new so i would be concerned but in a few years if they see there are no problems i think girls should have to get it, getting a vaccine doesn't mean they will be sexually active, and since there is a cutoff age they should get it while they can so it can be prevented in the future

Message edited 2/7/2007 9:30:38 PM.

Re: Florida may require vaccine for girls

absolutely not. Way too new...especially to be given to girls who are going through so many body changes as is.

I am weary of which company put this drug out there and if there is any goverment relations attached to it financially.