Vaccinations in Texas

[dlairman]

As a Texas resident, I can explain why Governor Goodhair signed legislation requiring all Texas schoolgirls get the new vaccine for cervical cancer.

First, a small detail: the bill doesn't get them the vaccine, it just requires them to get it in order to attend school.

Which then explains why the bill got signed over the objections of the Religious Right: the RR isn't in control, the neocons are, and they are all about profit. This legislation (however beneficial it is to the health of Texas citizens) is all about a big fat profit for the manufacturer of the vaccine. Remember, this is a new product and still under patent protection!

This is about money. The benefit to the health of Texas citizens is accidental.

[RogerMoore]

The vaccine actually innoculates against HPV, which is Genital Warts. So we are talking about a sexually transmitted disease. The amazing thing is, more than 97 percent of all cervical cancers develop due to complications as a side effect of HPV. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV.

I was shocked by the press coverage, because the words "Genital Warts" never came up in any of the storie of the HPV vaccine. I guess it doesn't make good copy. But it certainly does make for a murky issue when the press won't even tell you what the vaccine does or how.

The studies show giving the vaccine to girls before they are sexually active represents the best chance of immunizing the women. Which is why Texas want the school kids immunized. Not only is this a great medicine, it's good policy in Texas.