HPV Vaccine: Mandatory?

[blueangel]

TRENTON, N.J. -- Pediatricians, gynecologists and even health insurers all call Gardasil, the first vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, a big medical advance.

But medical groups, politicians and parents began rebelling after disclosure of a behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign by Gardasil's maker, Merck & Co., to get state legislatures to require 11- and 12-year-old girls to get the three-dose vaccine as a requirement for school attendance.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/busine...r_Vaccine.html

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by blueangel

TRENTON, N.J. -- Pediatricians, gynecologists and even health insurers all call Gardasil, the first vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, a big medical advance.

But medical groups, politicians and parents began rebelling after disclosure of a behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign by Gardasil's maker, Merck & Co., to get state legislatures to require 11- and 12-year-old girls to get the three-dose vaccine as a requirement for school attendance.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/busine...r_Vaccine.html

Perhaps it's the "Gen Y" in me, but I see absolutely no problem with lobbying for your product - how is this different from lobbying against taxes on your product (see: alcohol, tobacco, gasoline), or lobbying for increased regulation that benefits one product over another (cell phones, cable TV, etc)?

I say this realizing that your visceral response is, at least in part, due to your desire to reduce government involvement in your decision-making process - which I understand, but until lobbying efforts are outlawed or correctly regulated, I can't fault someone for playing by the rules.

Especially when I fully support the theory behind the vaccination in question.

[blueangel]

I said it all weeks ago on Page 2 of this thread regarding the "true" agenda of this drug. It's not about saving lives, it's about greed and $$$... and brainwashing the public. Otherwise, why would this mad rush for laws when we don't even know the side effects yet? What's the big emergency? The vaccine has only been approved by the FDA for a few months. Too many unknowns.

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Especially when I fully support the theory behind the vaccination in question.

Lobbying issues aside, even if you support the theory behind the vaccine, what does it have to do with school -- why should it be required for school attendance?

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by valkyrie

Lobbying issues aside, even if you support the theory behind the vaccine, what does it have to do with school -- why should it be required for school attendance?

I'm not saying I unilaterally support requiring the vaccine on the state (or federal) level - just that I don't fault the company for lobbying states to require it. The reason to be in business is to make a profit - just because the vaccine will probably help people, this does not mean the company can't be profit-oriented.

I think, realistically, the only way to 'require' a vaccine is through the schools, similar to MMR or etc, so that's really the only connection in my mind . . . although I don't think it is really similar to MMR, which are used to prevent 'outbreak' throughout a school. However, if the ultimate goal is to eliminate some of these strands of HPV (like polio), then requiring the vaccine in this fashion might be the only way. Salt to taste.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

I'm not saying I unilaterally support requiring the vaccine on the state (or federal) level - just that I don't fault the company for lobbying states to require it. The reason to be in business is to make a profit - just because the vaccine will probably help people, this does not mean the company can't be profit-oriented.

I think, realistically, the only way to 'require' a vaccine is through the schools, similar to MMR or etc, so that's really the only connection in my mind . . . although I don't think it is really similar to MMR, which are used to prevent 'outbreak' throughout a school. However, if the ultimate goal is to eliminate some of these strands of HPV (like polio), then requiring the vaccine in this fashion might be the only way. Salt to taste.

Ok. So remove the penis and you now have a va-g-g. How would you feel about the vaccine being mandatory?

I agree about the school thing tho. If they're going to make it mandatory, I guess going the school route is the best way for THEM to do it... Not that I agree.

[Drolefille]

I feel the same way about it as KSig RC does though. And *checks* yeah, still female.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Ok. So remove the penis and you now have a va-g-g. How would you feel about the vaccine being mandatory?

Did you read my post?

I don't support it being mandatory - I support the company's right to use the system to their advantage. I also noted that making it "mandatory" would likely require using school enrollment, at least if it were to be mandatory for girls ages 11-12:

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

I agree about the school thing tho. If they're going to make it mandatory, I guess going the school route is the best way for THEM to do it... Not that I agree.

... Which you apparently gleaned - so wtf happened?

[UGAalum94]

I don't support in being mandatory although I think it's a great idea. I think we should try to make sure it's available to everybody who wants it and is likely to benefit from it.

But I don't think it should be tied to school attendance. Most if not all of the vaccines required for school attendance are for diseases that could be transmitted at school. As crazy as the stories coming out about middle school are these days, I don't think HPV is likely to be transmitted at school.

I'm all about Merc advertising and seeking subsidies from the gov't to make sure the vaccine is distributed. I've got a lot of trouble with them lobbying governors to make executive orders or legislators to make in mandatory for school. In fact, I don't think I'd reelect an official who took this decision away from the individuals.

There are ways we can promote good behaviors without mandating non-academic things for school.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Did you read my post?

I don't support it being mandatory - I support the company's right to use the system to their advantage. I also noted that making it "mandatory" would likely require using school enrollment, at least if it were to be mandatory for girls ages 11-12:



... Which you apparently gleaned - so wtf happened?

I did read it. I meant to put that my question was geared towards men who support this. My bad