HPV vaccine mandatory for all texas girls

[Autumn2004]

Jack- Im sorry you lost someone to this. My condolences are with you and her family. I have lost many loved ones to cancer also.

 

[Lisahas2cats]

I'm thankful it has become a big issue. Someone very very close to me just died a very painful, long drawn out, painful horrble death due to cervical cancer. If I had a daughter and I could spare her even the slightest chance that she would die that way I'd be grateful.

I'm so very sorry for your loss I too am glad that cervical cancer is getting more attention....I'm just very skeptical when it's because a company is going to be scoring huge dollars off of it instead of from a pure concern for the health of woman (men too, for that matter).

 

[Jack]

I'm so very sorry for your loss I too am glad that cervical cancer is getting more attention....I'm just very skeptical when it's because a company is going to be scoring huge dollars off of it instead of from a pure concern for the health of woman (men too, for that matter).

Thanks Lisa, I do understand your concern but I think that you may be blinded by the numbers without knowing what goes on behind the scenes. It takes an enormous amount of money to pay the bills generated by the research, development, and manufacture of drugs. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of independantly wealthy scientists out there willing to work for free so drugs can be cheaper, same with the manufacturers, everyone has to get their slice of the pie. It's a capitalistic venture for sure, but that isn't to say the people in the business don't care about saving lives. As unfortunate as this is I believe it is better than having the government take over to control costs. If that were to ever happen there probably wouldn't be many new treatments developed, and expensive drugs would probably be withheld from a lot of people who need them because of cost. Not to mention peoples lives whould then become political fodder. The way it is now all of the pharmacutical (sp?) companies have programs where drugs are offered for free or reduced costs for people who cannot afford them and do not have insurance. That's expensive too.

Anyhow, my biggest concern with this vaccine is the lack of long term studies.

 

[julianne]

It is to me when they are giving it to children. Not all eleven year old girls are raped or molested, but they are trying to give it to all of them even though they don't have any idea how long it will protect. When my girl is eleven, she is not likely to get raped or molested unless it's at school or someone breaks into my home because I plan on being very careful of where she goes and who with. However, when she is older she is more likely to have a boyfriend. If the statistics are correct, then most women alive have already been infected and cleared it out of their system whether they were raped or got it from their lovers. They can't justify giving it to that many women so they are experimenting with children before they become sexually active. They don't even have any long term studies or haven't proved that the vaccine itself doesn't cause cancer. They should start out with young women over age 18 who are wanting the vaccine and follow it for at least 10 years before demanding that little girls get this vaccination.

Exactly. They don't even know how long the immunity lasts for. There's also no assurance that one you get the shots, you are immune. There's no way to verify that. This is also still in the Phase III trials, and Merck isn't releasing those Phase III results at this time.

No way my little girl would get this. Not at this time. And I have lost someone close to cervical cancer-----very close.

And why aren't they offering it to boys & men? That's strange and bizarre to me. Men get HPV also. Men transmit HPV to women.

 

[julianne]

I agree that the pharmaceutical companies have incredible costs---however, they are sitting pretty with quarterly profit margins that are astronomical. The whole reason that some companies offer their pharmaceuticals at a discounted price now is because of the uproar caused from many years of them gouging the very people who depend on the medicine. Even their "discounted" prices are still generating huge profits for the big companies.

 

[JanetElaine]

Aluminum in vaccines has been linked to a variety of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s, although a lot more research is needed.

I am stopping reading in the middle of your (excellent) reply and thread - I just have to reply. According to the tests they did on me, the drs. concluded that it was most likely the aluminium that made me sick. After that, we worked closely with the drs. to make sure our daughter got all the immunizations that she really needed, and left out the ones that only protect against 'certain types of ....'. But that was in a Western-European country, and, not to stir up a controversy between people of different nations, frankly the US handling of medicine and vaccinations scares the living daylights out of me.

 

[JanetElaine]

I don't know how they could keep you from opting out of all vaccinations. say you sign the form that says you cannot or will not have vaccines for whatever reason. how are they to know that you go and get whichever ones you choose? You are the reporting agency so how would they find out?

That's a good question. And I don't have an anwers. The 'when you opt out, you opt out of everything' was something a friend told me. She's got 4 kids and is from the US, so I just took her word for it.

 

[JanetElaine]

There is a statewide immunization registry, which is a database accessible only by immunization providers, the Dept of Health and Dept of Education and each school. All the info is kept and updated on this database, including dosage, date, childs name, date of birth, address, what vaccinations are needed, etc.

Scary, isn't it?

Very.

 

[T-Rex]

I was just wondering, though, if someone who already had HPV got the vaccine, if it would cause them harm.

Unlikely, at 12, I'm sure, but not not out of the question. And how awful would that be?

 

[pedinurse]

I believe that you can opt out for personal reasons with this, and signing the law into effect means that all the children can receive the immunization series (which costs HUNDREDS of dollars out of pocket if receiving privately) for free of charge (funded by the state).

 

[pedinurse]

My friend adjusted his babies from newborn and feels that they do not need immunizations. they have a more holistic health care approach that does not include immunization. I should say some, not all of course.

I've seen too many babies who are just a few weeks old getting pertussis, etc here lately. That's because they aren't old enough to receive the vaccine, and someone around them either isn't vaccinated or, more likely, the are no longer immune if they previously received the vaccination. I'm very pro-vaccination. I think that preventing disease is a big part of preserving health - not only that, but it saves lives.

 

[santos1014]

I'm thankful it has become a big issue. Someone very very close to me just died a very painful, long drawn out, painful horrble death due to cervical cancer. If I had a daughter and I could spare her even the slightest chance that she would die that way I'd be grateful.

I agree and will have my 14 yr old vaccinated. I feel that what I have taught her at home and hopefully the morals she has instilled in herself will help her make the right decision when it comes to sex. I do not feel that offering this vaccine sends out the signal to girls that it's ok to have many sexual partners. Women, and men will make that decision no matter what.
I made it through cervical cancer. I would not want to take even the slightest chance of her getting it. If it were a vaccine for breast cancer, I am sure everyone would be standing in line for it.
For it to be mandatory is a bit much. I feel that should be up to each parent.

 

[jennirey]

Thanks Julianne for the information. Im going to research it.With boys Hpv is detected by the dr with vinegar and a magnification lens since the warts will turn white, so essentially you could do it at home but with girls it would be difficult being it could be inside and with so many folds it could hide. Its very irresponsible to assume no treatments is needed for boys since these are only two strains and there are over 100 strains of hpv.

I contracted HPV- Who knows how may years ago, I had no symptoms, No unusual Complications. But My pap smear had signs of Pre- cancerous Cells. They had to do a Cervical Cone (remove the affected cells off of the cervix) this was painful almost like a mis carriage. Then had to have pap's every 3 months for 2 years. I have had normal paps for 2 years now. I might still develop cervical Cancer. When asking the Dr. when did I get this, It can live in the Body for up to 14 years with out causing any issues, or as little as a few months. There are some strains that are more prevalent in becoming Cancerous and others that cause things like Genital Warts. I had one of the more radical strains. Even if boys are tested, they can always test false positive/negative. There was no pin pointing where I got this from. I raise my children to have good Moral values. I cannot always expect them to remember them, But in the heat of the momement, they could be this disease's next vicitim.

Living in Texas, I Question Gov Perry's methods of executive order, but the absolute result is that I would want the recomendation of the vaccination to go through anyway.




I am a survivor

 

[JBean]

I've seen too many babies who are just a few weeks old getting pertussis, etc here lately. That's because they aren't old enough to receive the vaccine, and someone around them either isn't vaccinated or, more likely, the are no longer immune if they previously received the vaccination. I'm very pro-vaccination. I think that preventing disease is a big part of preserving health - not only that, but it saves lives.

I am pro-vaccine also. I have done my homework since this thread began and I now know I would have my daughter vaccinated with 100% confidence.

 

[rayray]

I am 24 years old.. When I was 17, I was diagnosed with HPV.. I have had cells scraped off my cervix, and actually had part of my cervix removed to make sure all of the cancerous cells were removed, not to mention pap smears very frequently. There is scarring on my cervix that may cause me to not be able to bear children. I still may contract cancer.
If I had children, you'd be damn sure she would be getting this shot. I have been through hell and back, and who knows what lies ahead.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

I am 24 years old.. When I was 17, I was diagnosed with HPV.. I have had cells scraped off my cervix, and actually had part of my cervix removed to make sure all of the cancerous cells were removed, not to mention pap smears very frequently. There is scarring on my cervix that may cause me to not be able to bear children. I still may contract cancer.
If I had children, you'd be damn sure she would be getting this shot. I have been through hell and back, and who knows what lies ahead.

My daughter turned 12 yesterday and she'll be getting this shot. I did hear that parents can opt out if they so choose though. (Not sure if I already responded on this thread, so if so, sorry you had to read me twice).

 

[kawika]

http://www.yahoo.com/s/497897

Perry also received $6,000 from Merck's political action committee during his re-election campaign.

Just to repeat that and the fact that Mike Toomey, Perry's chief of staff for two years, is now a Merck lobbyist..

Which is not to say that a person's actions, even if they're due to questionable motives, can't result in an ultimately positive outcome or even that Perry wouldn't have done this anyway, without Merck's connections to his office...but it certainly raises an eyebrow.

 

[PrayersForMaura]

Hi there--

I am writing to tell all women that I have had this illness and it turned into cancer. The procedure I went through was so very painful! If I could have just had the shot, i would have went through a lot less stress and pain. I was told at the time that I would not live past 30 because the cancer can spread that fast.

People who don't want this shot may not have ever had cervical cancer, especially at a young age. I was 23.
I was scared to death.

While this says it's "mandatory" parents can still opt out. So, I don't know what people are freaking out about. Just opt out if you don't want your child protected. But then don't don't cry when your daughter may be told she has cancer and can die .... Ask my mom how she felt when I was diagnosed. I almost didn't have the 6-inch needle inserted into my most personal area to eliminate the cancer because I was scared and ashamed. I could have died, though. 10+ years later, here I am to tell my story. And I am very thankful.

think about it.

 

[T-Rex]

I just want to thank the people who have shared very personal, and very private stories. They change the argument from academic to real--and maybe change opinions.

 

[Autumn2004]

Hi there--

I am writing to tell all women that I have had this illness and it turned into cancer. The procedure I went through was so very painful! If I could have just had the shot, i would have went through a lot less stress and pain. I was told at the time that I would not live past 30 because the cancer can spread that fast.

People who don't want this shot may not have ever had cervical cancer, especially at a young age. I was 23.
I was scared to death.

While this says it's "mandatory" parents can still opt out. So, I don't know what people are freaking out about. Just opt out if you don't want your child protected. But then don't don't cry when your daughter may be told she has cancer and can die .... Ask my mom how she felt when I was diagnosed. I almost didn't have the 6-inch needle inserted into my most personal area to eliminate the cancer because I was scared and ashamed. I could have died, though. 10+ years later, here I am to tell my story. And I am very thankful.

think about it.

PrayersforMaura- Im sorry you went through this, my best friend in high school had to have a cone biopsy done and ended up needing a cerclage and bedrest to have children during her pregnancies.

I think the big issue is no long term studies especially with the reputation has with the fda pushing things too fast through and not releasing studies they should have. The main reason we have lawsuits on other drugs.

Im lucky, my daughter is just almost 3 years old so by the time its her turn to decide to get this we will have heard about long term side effects at least from the last nine years.

I dont think anyone feels they would want their child to have this just its scary to think about long term side effects. Your scared to do it and scared not to do it.

DES was considered safe and look what happened to those poor children.

So, I don't know what people are freaking out about. Just opt out if you don't want your child protected. But then don't don't cry when your daughter may be told she has cancer and can die.
To me this was a bit harsh since the reason people are questioning it is because they DO CARE and DO WANT TO PROTECT their children. Im just not a sheeple and go with whatever is said to me, I like to make informed decisions.




I really appreciate personal stories as t-rex stated, it makes you think about many things regarding this.