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October 2007 
HPV Vaccine
Posted on Dec 4th, 2006
by 
Monica
Monica
MICHIGAN: "Cervical Cancer Vaccine Bill Goes Before House"
Detroit News (11.17.06):: Gary Heinlein
The Michigan House Health Policy Committee has sent to the full House one bill of a two-bill package that would require human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations for sixth-grade girls. An opt-out provision for medical, religious or philosophical reasons would apply to the HPV vaccine, which would join state-required vaccinations of school children against hepatitis B, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, measles, mumps, and rubella.
The companion bill is expected to gain committee support after representatives return from recess on Nov. 28, said its chairperson, Rep. Ed Gaffney (R-Grosse Pointe). The objective is to send the bills to Gov. Jennifer Granholm for her approval before Christmas. "I can't imagine too many people voting against it," said Gaffney.
The two-bill package has already cleared the Senate. If passed, the law would make Michigan the first state to require immunization against HPV, an STD. About 70,000 girls would need the shots for the 2008-2009 school year. The Gardasil HPV vaccine costs an average $360 for a three-shot series, which would be covered through private insurers or Medicaid.
The Michigan Medical Society and Michigan Nurses Association support the bills. A state official said the vaccine is most effective if administered to younger, sexually inexperienced girls.
However, House committee member Rep. Dave Robertson (R-Grand Blanc) said parents would resent being forced to have to talk about sex when their children were ages 9-11. Rep. John Stahl (R-North Branch) said he believes the incidence of HPV does not warrant a state immunization program and that parents should be allowed to choose which shots are appropriate for their daughters.
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Of course there has been a lot of discussion about this in Michigan. The nursing/medical community along with religious conservatives are all chiming in on the debate. The CDC reports that the prevalence is quite significant "Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year."
Not all strains of HPV lead to cervical cancer and many individuals will remain asymptomatic. From a public health standpoint the incidence is high enough to require governmental regulation of this vaccine thereby protecting the public. However, the vaccine is expensive and perhaps since the Michigan Government is planning on regulating Gardasil they should pay for it too.
But what about personal choice? Should we not have the right to refuse vaccines if we believe that they might be unsafe or refute any religious beliefs? I agree with the concept of choice, however, I personally disagree with Rep. Robertson’s position that this will “force” parents to discuss sex with their children. In my experience most parents have not discussed the implications for vaccines with their children, all they know is that they are getting ‘shots’ for school.
Most conservatives promote abstinence, which in my view is a platform for failure; it is pie- in- the sky unrealistic. And I bet that any health care professional will agree with this. Prevention is the best option to prevent the spread of any disease whether it is vaccines, abstinence, or safe sex education. ALL of these options should be available for the public, but IMHO education and promotion of condoms promotes the best way for individuals to make a conscious choice regarding sex.
Detroit News (11.17.06):: Gary Heinlein
The Michigan House Health Policy Committee has sent to the full House one bill of a two-bill package that would require human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations for sixth-grade girls. An opt-out provision for medical, religious or philosophical reasons would apply to the HPV vaccine, which would join state-required vaccinations of school children against hepatitis B, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, measles, mumps, and rubella.
The companion bill is expected to gain committee support after representatives return from recess on Nov. 28, said its chairperson, Rep. Ed Gaffney (R-Grosse Pointe). The objective is to send the bills to Gov. Jennifer Granholm for her approval before Christmas. "I can't imagine too many people voting against it," said Gaffney.
The two-bill package has already cleared the Senate. If passed, the law would make Michigan the first state to require immunization against HPV, an STD. About 70,000 girls would need the shots for the 2008-2009 school year. The Gardasil HPV vaccine costs an average $360 for a three-shot series, which would be covered through private insurers or Medicaid.
The Michigan Medical Society and Michigan Nurses Association support the bills. A state official said the vaccine is most effective if administered to younger, sexually inexperienced girls.
However, House committee member Rep. Dave Robertson (R-Grand Blanc) said parents would resent being forced to have to talk about sex when their children were ages 9-11. Rep. John Stahl (R-North Branch) said he believes the incidence of HPV does not warrant a state immunization program and that parents should be allowed to choose which shots are appropriate for their daughters.
*************************************************************************************************
Of course there has been a lot of discussion about this in Michigan. The nursing/medical community along with religious conservatives are all chiming in on the debate. The CDC reports that the prevalence is quite significant "Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year."
Not all strains of HPV lead to cervical cancer and many individuals will remain asymptomatic. From a public health standpoint the incidence is high enough to require governmental regulation of this vaccine thereby protecting the public. However, the vaccine is expensive and perhaps since the Michigan Government is planning on regulating Gardasil they should pay for it too.
But what about personal choice? Should we not have the right to refuse vaccines if we believe that they might be unsafe or refute any religious beliefs? I agree with the concept of choice, however, I personally disagree with Rep. Robertson’s position that this will “force” parents to discuss sex with their children. In my experience most parents have not discussed the implications for vaccines with their children, all they know is that they are getting ‘shots’ for school.
Most conservatives promote abstinence, which in my view is a platform for failure; it is pie- in- the sky unrealistic. And I bet that any health care professional will agree with this. Prevention is the best option to prevent the spread of any disease whether it is vaccines, abstinence, or safe sex education. ALL of these options should be available for the public, but IMHO education and promotion of condoms promotes the best way for individuals to make a conscious choice regarding sex.
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