Perry orders anti-cancer vaccine for schoolgirls

[groovychk]

Originally published at Twixel.net. You can comment here or there.

AUSTIN (AP) — Bypassing the Legislature, Republican Gov. Rick Perry signed an order Friday making Texas the first state to require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.

By issuing an executive order, Perry apparently sidesteps opposition in the Legislature from conservatives and parents’ rights groups who fear such a requirement would condone premarital sex and interfere with the way parents raise their children.

Beginning in September 2008, girls entering the sixth grade — meaning, generally, girls ages 11 and 12 — will have to get Gardasil, Merck & Co.’s new vaccine against strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-02-02-texas_x.htm?POE=NEWISVA
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Although I think this HPV vaccine should be included with the DPT requirement - it absolutely should not be required until there is a very cheap, and non-monopoly vendor product.
And what the hell is up with Hypocrite Perry? This guy is a fundie. And this vaccine, in a round about way, has to do with sex. Which we all know is evil right? Hahaha. And The thought of this loser making any decisions about womens health gives me the heebie jeebies.

Comments

[aimingforpeace.livejournal.com]

On the plus side, the state's paying for it. At least according to last night's news.

[groovychk.livejournal.com]

The state being us :-)

[compudoc.livejournal.com]

It's amazing how politicians will dance around the system just to get a "pet project" through.

And yes, flatly, Rick Perry is an asshole! And a dnagerous one too!

[kyrie1618.livejournal.com]

For $6000 he does this? What will Merck's return be? That's what I call a profit margin.

Reminds me of an old news story, but one that is relevant any time drug monopolies come up... because I can get behind this decision on one condition. Merck cannot make one cent from this law.

And what is Perry thinking?

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Brazil has said its law permitting production of generic drugs was an "important instrument" in battling HIV/Aids. It has halved annual deaths from the disease since 1995, thanks to free distribution of mainly Brazilian-produced Aids drugs.

The trademark issue flared when the United Nations encouraged other countries to follow Brazil's example and begin manufacturing their own drugs based on patented formulas. The move was opposed by the United States.

Brazilian president Fernando Henrique Cardoso has vigorously defended his country's practice of ignoring patents on anti-Aids drugs. "We’re not trying to challenge anyone. We don’t want to overstep patents at any price. But for the health of our nation, we won’t hesitate."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4059147.stm
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/americas/08/22/aids.drug/index.html
http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,44175,00.html