Constant Opinions

I’m not too happy about this one. Gardasil, the new vaccine against the STD that can cause cervical cancer, is being pushed hard as something that girls should be required to get by state law at age 11 or 12.

It’s not the fact that it blocks an STD that bothers me. That really isn’t a problem in my mind. It’s the thought of requiring girls to get a vaccine for a disease that is not casually caught that bothers me, especially one that is so newly approved.

In other words, no, I don’t think it will increase promiscuity. Fellow parents, if that’s what you’re worried about, talk to your daughters. Make sure they understand this only blocks one disease, one that may never cause a problem even if they catch it, unlike others for which there aren’t vaccines which may more immediately impact her life.

I loathe the fact that the governor of Texas used an executive order to require girls get Gardasil shots there. Guess he’s easy bought persuaded.

My discomfort in requiring this comes from not knowing the long term side effects, if any. Maybe it’s perfectly safe. Maybe it isn’t maybe it won’t last. Many vaccines stop protecting you after a time, after all.

Then there’s the price. Insurance companies aren’t generally covering Gardasil, so far as I know, yet, so when states require people to get this, they’re requiring families to take $360 out of possibly very tight budgets to get a series of shots for a vaccine whose safety is not proven.

Yes, I know the human papillomavirus is a big problem since it can cause cervical cancer. But it does not guarantee cervical cancer, and regular Pap smears can help take care of the problem.

I have no problem with Garadsil being available. I’d even like to see insurance companies cover it so that those who want it don’t have to struggle to pay for it. But I do not want it to be mandatory without knowing a hell of a lot more about its safety.

Would I give it to my daughter? Well, she’s 4 now, so no worries for a few years. If she were old enough for it right now, though, I would not give it to her. I’m not yet comfortable with how long it has been available, and this is not an emergency. When she’s 11 or 12, I may or may not give it to her, depending on how it’s doing then.

Yes, she does get her other vaccinations. Those are generally well established, well tested vaccines. Side effects are minimal for most people. But making her get vaccinated for something that isn’t transmitted through casual contact doesn’t make sense unless you really, really know that it’s safe. And I don’t feel we know that yet with Gardasil.

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