Texas Becomes First State to Require HPV Vaccine for Middle School Girls

Rick Perry Bypasses Legislature

Texas' 48th Governor, Rick Perry has bypassed the Legislature altogether to issue an order on Friday, February 2, 2007, requiring schoolgirls to be vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer. Perry was able to do this by employing an executive order and
Texas Becomes First State to Require HPV Vaccine for Middle School Girls
 thus avoided having to deal with opposition from conservatives and parents' rights group, who have grave concerns that such a step is tantamount to condoning premarital sex as well as preempting the rights of Texans to raise their children according to their own belief systems.

Governor Perry is a conservative Christian. He opposes abortion and stem-cell research using embryonic cells. He feels, however, that the cervical cancer vaccine should be viewed in the same manner that we view protecting children against other diseases, such as polio.

"The HPV vaccine provides us with an incredible opportunity to effectively target and prevent cervical cancer," Perry said. "HPV" refers to Gardasil, Merck & Co.'s new vaccine against strains of the human papilloma virus.

Gardasil was approved by the federal government in June 2006. Inoculation for pre-teens was recommended by a government advisory panel, since it was felt that the best time to start was before they were likely to become sexually active.

Under the laws of the State of Texas, parents may file an affidavit objecting to a vaccine on religious or philosophical reasons. Despite these exceptions, conservative groups still feel that the vaccines are an encroachment on parents' rights.

Krista Moody, a spokeswoman for the Governor, said that the Legislature has no authority to repeal the Governor's order and that the Texas Constitution permits the Governor, as head of the executive branch, to order other members of the executive branch to adopt rules like this one.

 
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How ridiculous. Is sexual intercourse now a part of daily classroom instruction? Kids don't pass this to each other during the usual activities over the course of a day, so why would thye need to have this vax? Shouldn't it be based on individual health, need, and risk? I hope parents know they can get an exemption and will do their research before forcing this on their teenage daughters.

Posted on 04/20/2007 at 2:04:00 PM

Paragraph 5 : Under the laws of the State of Texas, parents may file an affidavit objecting to a vaccine on religious or philosopical reasons ...

Posted on 04/17/2007 at 2:04:00 AM

Gardasil contains a live cancer virus. Perry's order to vaccinate girls is not a law, therefore girls do not have to be vaccinated. It is illegal to force someone to take a vaccine. There is no law that obligates citizens to vaccinate their children. Parents can opt out by filing a waiver.

Posted on 04/16/2007 at 10:04:00 PM

MMMMMM WHY NOT TRY THIS OUT ON MALES INSTEAD BUT THEN I DONT BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT OR ANYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO FORCE THIS SO CALLED UNTESTED VACCINE ON ANYONE...I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PROOF YOU HAVE THAT THIS IS VIABLE....YOU DAMNED POLITICIANS DO AS YOU DAMNED WELL PLEASE WITH YOUR OWN FAMILIES BUT LEAVE THE REST OF US THE HELL ALONE... YOU ARE A BUNCH OF HIPOCRITS

Posted on 02/27/2007 at 4:02:00 PM

I should probably let someone else comment before I go on :) My dd was not sick once in her life until she was 17 months old, and her illness (fever) came within five days of getting the chicken pox vaccine. I really wish that I had reported the incident to the Board of Health/Adverse reaction hotline, but I took her pediatrician's word that a negative reaction would have occurred sooner. The two events were too closely connected in time for me to believe the vaccine was not a contributing factor.

Posted on 02/05/2007 at 4:02:00 PM

Barry Freiman-Interesting point, and who should be paying for all the expensive treatment and therapy vaccine-injured autistic children need as a result of their fragile developing brains not being able to handle the excess mercury in the MMR vaccine that the medical community irrationally deems as "safe."

Posted on 02/05/2007 at 4:02:00 PM

Mary Kirkland and others of a similar mindset- You can easily find qualified MDs who don't vaccinate. It takes a bit of work, and mine isn't covered under insurance, but it is worth it not to deal with "You're taking risks." Sorry, I don't need to be given medical advice by someone whose pockets are stuffed by financial incentives for promoting vaccines.

Posted on 02/05/2007 at 4:02:00 PM

All vaccines overtax and overburden the immune system, and a weak immune system is a goldmine for cancer cells.

Posted on 02/05/2007 at 4:02:00 PM

Angela England- I echo your sentiments about the huge conflict of interest, and Dr. Mercola has similar concerns on his website.

Posted on 02/05/2007 at 4:02:00 PM

Plus, I would never take/accept anything that is so "new" to the market.

Posted on 02/05/2007 at 4:02:00 PM

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