Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Posted from Fox 5 NY Website...

Last Edited: Friday, 09 Feb 2007, 10:43 PM EST
Created: Friday, 09 Feb 2007, 10:43 PM EST

A dose of the HPV vaccine. ALBANY, N.Y. -- A Democratic state assemblywoman plans to introduce legislation next week that would require schoolgirls in New York to get shots meant to knock out the virus linked to cervical cancer.
The question of whether to inoculate girls against human papilloma virus recently touched off controversy in Texas where Gov. Rick Perry issued an executive order requiring the vaccine.

"This is a revolutionary opportunity to eradicate a disease that kills many, many women. As a mom, I'm grateful my daughter will not have to fear having cervical cancer," Amy Paulin of Westchester County, whose 18-year-old daughter just received her first shot, told the New York Daily News for its Friday edition.

Paulin's legislation would require girls be inoculated with the three-shot series against HPV, a sexually transmitted disease that causes 70 percent of cervical cancers. Children whose parents have religious objections to the vaccine, called Gardasil, would be exempt.

Gardasil's maker, Merck & Co., has been pushing for legislation across the country that would require girls as young as 11 or 12 to receive the drugmaker's new vaccine.

Some conservatives and parents'-rights groups say such a requirement would encourage premarital sex and interfere with the way they raise their children.

Legislation similar to Paulin's is under consideration in at least 18 other states.

In New York, it would be up to the state Health Department to decide who should receive the vaccine. Federal guidelines recommend it for 11- and 12-year-old girls - before they become sexually active.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer has called for $1.5 million as part of his proposed $120.6 billion state budget to buy the $360 series of shots for low-income women and those without insurance and to help educate the public and health-care providers about the vaccine.

"The governor and his health experts are reviewing proposals that would mandate the vaccine," said Spitzer spokeswoman Christine Anderson.

In New York City, the Bloomberg administration is also interested in the vaccine.

"The HPV vaccine represents a breakthrough in preventing cervical cancer and its precursors. School requirements have been an important tool in increasing vaccination rates among adolescents, and we are exploring whether or not -- and if so, when -- this would be the right way to proceed in New York," said Andrew Tucker, a spokesman for the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Associated Press writer Sara Kugler in New York City contributed to this report.

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

This is GREAT news!!

Every woman should have access to this vaccine...not just 11-12 y/o girls!!

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

My cousin is a pediatric oncologist, and she told my mother my sister should get it. My sister is 11 years old.

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

I think they should get the shot.... but is there a study on the long term effects..... is it completely safe? I think all women should be able to get it.

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Lost as to why you are sad about this. This is great that this shot doesn't cost $25K like most things in the world when it comes to healthcare.

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

I think it's great.

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

I'm in completely support of it - it's amazing to know how many women have HPV, and the fact that it could possibly cause cervical cancer - why not be preventative. I do not believe it promotes sex among the pre-teens or teenagers. We get rubella/mumps/TB shots when we're young...why should this be any different?

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

I think it's a great idea!

ETA- I don't think it promotes sex either- that's the same agrument they use about giving out condoms at school

Message edited 2/12/2007 3:49:06 PM.

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

I think this is great too!

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

My concern is that lawmakers are trying to pass a bill making it mandatory for all schoolgirls to get this vaccine. I'm not comfortable with that...Especially in light of the fact that there are no long term studies as to the affect of this drug.

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

I think it's a great idea and should be encouraged.

As for encouraging pre-marital sex...I disagree. Kids aren't saying, "Ooh, since I've been vaccinated against HPV, we can have sex now!"

If anything, getting the vaccination would open of the doors of commuication between girls and their parents regarding sex and all the risks involved.

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

I think that providing the vaccine to those who want it is a WONDERFUL idea.

I have a MASSIVE PROBLEM with making it mandatory.

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

they need to stop telling us what our kids MUST get. who knows about the effects

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Posted by ChrissynRicky

Posted by Jennie0898

Posted by ChrissynRicky

I do not believe it promotes sex among the pre-teens or teenagers. We get rubella/mumps/TB shots when we're young...why should this be any different?

I NEVER said it would promote sex among pre-teens or teenagers. I just think there's not enough clinical info out there yet to make this a mandatory vaccine.

I wasn't responding to you sweets - just to the article in general.

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Posted by Diva

Posted by Jennie0898


Some conservatives and parents'-rights groups say such a requirement would encourage premarital sex and interfere with the way they raise their children.

I dont understand how a vaccine could encourage premarital sex and interfere with raising a child.....

Other than long term effects, I think they should also include this among the vaccines required to enroll in college

Re: Lawmaker Wants New York Schoolgirls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Message edited 2/12/2007 4:07:21 PM.