Backlash Against Texas HPV Vaccine Law Continues

In response to the Executive Order requiring HPV vaccination for Texas schoolgirls, legislation has been proposed in the state that would prohibit HPV vaccination status from being used as a condition for public school enrollment. Other legislators are expressing concern that the issue wasn't properly reviewed and asking the Governor to rescind the order, as evidenced in this Dallas News piece - " State Sen. Jane Nelson (R), chairwoman of the Senate's health and human services committee, said lawmakers should have been allowed to hear from doctors, scientists and patients before the state implemented such a sweeping mandate. 'This is not an emergency,' said Ms. Nelson, R-Grapevine. 'It needs to be discussed and debated.'"

TX Governor Rick Perry has released the following statement in response to critics:
“Never before have we had an opportunity to prevent cancer with a simple vaccine. While I understand the concerns expressed by some, I stand firmly on the side of protecting life. The HPV vaccine does not promote sex, it protects women’s health. In the past, young women who have abstained from sex until marriage have contracted HPV from their husbands and faced the difficult task of defeating cervical cancer. This vaccine prevents that from happening.

“Providing the HPV vaccine doesn’t promote sexual promiscuity anymore than providing the Hepatitis B vaccine promotes drug use. If the medical community developed a vaccine for lung cancer, would the same critics oppose it claiming it would encourage smoking?

“Finally, parents need to know that they have the final decision about whether or not their daughter is vaccinated. I am a strong believer in protecting parental rights, which is why this executive order allows them to opt out.”

Pro-vaccination editorial in the Austin Statesman

Supportive editorial from the New York Times

Previous Related Posts: (see links for additional HPV information resources)

American Cancer Society Issues New HPV Vaccine Guidelines

FDA Approves First Vaccine Against HPV, Leading Cause of Cervical Cancer

Status of HPV Vaccine and Cervical Cancer Prevention

One Vaccine, 100 Voices - HPV Vaccines and Screening in the Prevention of Cervical Cancer

CDC Recommends HPV Vaccination, Backlash Continues

FDA Committee Recommends Approval of HPV Vaccine