“I’m offended for all the little girls and parents that didn’t have a choice (about getting a vaccination against HPV per order of Texas Gov. Rick Perry.)” Rep. Michelle Bachmann at a candidate forum in Florida, Sept. 13, 2011 (NY Times)

Perry ordered mandatory vaccinations of Texas 6th grade schoolgirls against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in 2007, but the order provided that parents could opt-out by signing a conscientious objector form, so Bachmann is wrong about parents having no choice. The order was never implemented due to backlash from the legislature. (1)

But was Perry right about the HPV vaccination? HPV is the most common STD (sexually transmitted disease), affecting about half of all sexually active people eventually. About 70% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV, so the danger of HPV is much greater than that of other STD’s, such as herpes. Cervical cancer is diagnosed in about 11,000 women every year, and about 4,000 patients die from it annually. (2)

The Gardasil vaccine, which Perry chose, is made by Merck Pharmaceutical, a generous donor to Perry’s campaigns. (3) But more important, Gardasil is certified by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) as both very safe (no serious side-effects) and highly effective against HPV, especially if administered by age 12. (2)

So there are two excellent ways to prevent a teen-age girl from getting HPV: the vaccine and abstinence from sexual activity. Even with the opt-out exemption, Texas could protect the vast majority of girls in the state from HPV by requiring the vaccine. Abstinence would be even better (for many reasons, aside from STD’s), but surveys indicate that about 36% of high school girls are sexually active. (4) ( Six percent reported their first intercourse by the age of 14.) Since preaching abstinence by parents, schools and churches has not been effective with this 36% of HS girls, the vaccine is the best way to save this group from the dire consequences of their own irresponsible behavior. It also protects rape victims from the consequences of the evil acts of some men, many of whom have a STD.

Vaccination of all young females in Texas would prevent about 630 cases of cervical cancer each year, which would save about 230 lives per year. Since every human life is precious, mandatory vaccination is justified. Although the decision to order it should have been made by the legislature, rather than the Governor, it was the right decision.

I am not among Gov. Rick Perry’s many admirers, but I believe that his vaccination order was motivated by a desire to save lives rather than by campaign funds.

Gerald S Glazer

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(1) Politico.com

(2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website

(3) $5,000 for 2010, a total of $28,000 for all Perry’s campaigns.

(4) Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention website.

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