The debate has also carried over to Angela’s Herpes Simplex Help blog, where she and I are having a side discussion in which we both keep repeating ourselves with increasing degrees of urgency. Truly, we’re brilliant.

The folks who’ve thrown their two cents out there have had a heck of a lot to say. But the thing that blows my mind is that so few people have weighed in on this issue! We’re talking about women’s health here. We’re talking about your health, my health, your daughter’s/sister’s/cousin’s/best friend’s health. We’re talking about the health of women who haven’t yet been born. Educate yourself. Get informed, and speak up. This affects all of us, and now is no time to be shy.

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

The Vaccination Controversy Continues

The requirement will take effect in September of next year, and will require that all girls be vaccinated before they enter sixth grade. According to Merck, the vaccine can be administered to girls beginning at age 9, and it’s given as a series of three shots. Says Merck:

GARDASIL is given as 3 injections over 6 months and can cause pain, swelling, itching, and redness at the injection site, fever, nausea, and dizziness. Only a doctor or healthcare professional can decide if GARDASIL is right for you or your daughter.

And just in case you missed it, let’s just emphasize the last sentence in that little explanation:

Only a doctor or healthcare professional can decide if GARDASIL is right for you or your daughter.

Hmm, that’s interesting. Also interesting is that it was approved by the FDA less than a year ago, and clinical trials of Gardasil haven’t been long enough to determine either potential long term side effects or how long it remains effective.

As you can probably tell, I’m not entirely comfortable with the idea that a state government is mandating a that a brand new drug be administered to every school-age girl in the state (or else!). I’m not sure which would be more irresponsible, not mandating a potentially life-saving vaccination, or mandating a vaccination that hasn’t been in the marketplace long enough to determine whether it’s really (a) safe and (b) effective over the long term.

And I’m not the only blogger with these concerns. Check out what the ladies of the ESC have to say about it.

What do you think?

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Texas Mandates HPV Vaccine