Texas is 1st U.S. State to Require Cervical Cancer Vaccine for Girls

As ordered by Texas Governor Rick Perry, all schoolgirls in Texas must be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) – the ones that cause cervical cancer.

Merck’s cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil is recommended to be administered in girls as young as 11 or 12, before they are likely sexually active.

I wonder how parents would take such a mandate?

Texas allows parents to opt out of inoculations by filing an affidavit stating that he or she objected to the vaccine for religious or philosophical reasons.

Even with such provisions, however, conservative groups say mandates take away parents’ rights to be the primary medical decision maker for their children.

Gardasil apparently costs $360 for the three-shot regimen. (!!!)

Imagine how much Merck will earn if vaccination with Gardasil becomes mandatory accross the country?

On the other hand, imagine too how many girls/women who won’t have to suffer cervical cancer?

Read the full report.