UPDATE: MANDATORY HPV VAC PASSES SENATE

[honeybee]

Georgia is one of at least 18 states considering a law that would require every girl entering the sixth grade to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, which causes cervical cancer.

Recently, Texas Gov. Rick Perry created a flap when he signed an executive order requiring the HPV vaccination for all girls entering the sixth grade. Some religious groups oppose mandating a vaccine for a sexually transmitted disease. Others worry about how poor or uninsured families would pay for it.

Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville), the sponsor of Senate Bill 155, said he believes the vaccination requirement is good public policy. The bill, which is scheduled for review today by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, contains an exemption for parents who oppose the vaccine on religious grounds or cannot afford it.

"This is like a miracle drug," Balfour said. "Eventually, a number of companies will have it. If you can help reduce the significance of cervical cancer, that's a great thing for the state of Georgia."

HPV causes genital warts and can lead to cervical cancer in women. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 3,900 women die from cervical cancer each year.

In June, the federal Food and Drug Administration announced its approval of Gardisil, the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts caused by certain strains of HPV. A few weeks later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that the newly licensed vaccine be given to 11- and 12-year-old girls, though vaccinations can occur anytime between ages 9 and 26.

Merck, the giant pharmaceutical company that manufactures Gardisil, the HPV vaccine, has pushed the vaccine, drawing criticism because of the windfall it could reap from mandatory vaccinations. Last week, the company agreed to stop lobbying for passage of measures making it mandatory.

Jim Beck, president of the Georgia Christian Coalition, said that while he agrees with the goal of SB 155 to reduce cervical cancer in women, he has numerous fears about the proposed legislation. Beck, in a letter to Balfour, wrote that he knows many parents who object to the vaccine on religious and moral grounds. He also wrote that parents would be upset about the circumvention of their authority by the school system.

"We do not want to have to ask permission to do what's right by our children," Beck said Monday. Sadie Fields, chairwoman of the Georgia Christian Alliance, said she opposes mandating the vaccine. She also recommends that parents receive a brochure that explains that the HPV vaccine is effective against 70 percent of cancer-causing HPV strains and that it does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases.

Harry Keyserling, chairman of the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said that while he supports the Gardisil vaccine, he has concerns about the Legislature stepping in to require a vaccine.

"We certainly are pleased with the way our system currently works in Georgia, that the Health Department decides which vaccines should be recommended," Keyserling said. He also said he does not want the ability of a child's parents to pay for the vaccine to be a barrier to access. The federal Vaccines for Children program covers vaccination costs for children whose parents are on Medicaid or are uninsured. At the moment, Gov. Sonny Perdue's proposed budget has $4.3 million in state funds set aside to pay for the Gardisil vaccine for underinsured children — but that could change because the Legislature has not approved the state's spending plan.

[honeybee]

You know they pushed hormone replacement therapy for women years ago and now they are finding out it isn't as great as they thought.

Do I want my daughter to be a guinea pig for the FDA, NO WAY!!!!!

Immunizations to prevent the spread of a communicable disease like Chicken Pox, Measels and Mumps, ok, but not his one.

It hasn't been around long enough to know the possible side effects.

[summerose]

I don't think that is a good idea at all. I sure wouldn't vote for it.

[sometimeman]

Sometimeman is agin it.
The people who know whats best for you, really don't know!

[honeybee]

Cervical cancer vaccine bill passes committee



Despite numerous concerns raised by various groups, a Senate committee approved a bill Tuesday that would require all girls in Georgia who are entering the sixth grade to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus, or HPV.

Senate Bill 155, if it becomes law, would go into effect in 2008.

"This will save lives," said Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville), the bill's sponsor. "It's good for young girls. It's good for your daughters. It will be good for their families when they grow up. It will help them live long and healthy lives."

In June, the federal Food and Drug Administration announced its approval of Gardasil, the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts caused by certain strains of HPV. A few weeks later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that the newly licensed vaccine be given to 11- and 12-year-old girls, though vaccinations can occur anytime between ages 9 and 26.

Since then, numerous state legislatures around the country have rushed to pass mandates or other bills encouraging the use of the vaccine. But some parents and many religious and social organizations have jumped into the fray, asking lawmakers to slow down. Merck, the pharmaceutical giant that manufactures Gardasil, stopped lobbying for state mandates last week after heavy criticism.

Tanya Ditty with Concerned Women for America of Georgia, a self-proclaimed conservative organization, told the committee that HPV is a sexually transmitted disease and that some parents may not want to discuss the vaccine with their 11 and 12-year old girls and expose them to it. She also noted that Gardasil prevents only 70 percent of the HPV strains that cause cervical cancer. The vaccine prevents about 90 percent of the strains that cause genital warts.

She also noted that studies so far show the Gardasil vaccine is effective for about five years, and that more research is being done to determine whether girls and women who receive the course of three shots eventually will need a booster dose.

"We do not believe this is the best course of action for the state of Georgia," Ditty said.

Most of the people who spoke against the bill said they had no problem with the vaccine itself – but wanted the state to let parents decide on the best course action for their children.

The bill contains a provision that allows parents to opt out of the vaccination program because of religious reasons.

Pat Chivers, who represents the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, said the Church does not have a problem with the vaccine on religious grounds – but had other concerns.

"We are opposed to the mandate of it," Chivers said. "We think parents have the right to make an informed decision about their children's medical care. It may be a medical reason, it may be that they just don't want it."

Balfour and the committee allowed three changes to the bill. The committee pushed back the effective date from 2007 to 2008. Balfour included a provision that would effectively nullify the bill if the federal or state government issued an order to stop the HPV vaccinations. And he gave the bill a sunset date of 2011. At the time, the state Division of Public Health would regulate the use of the HPV vaccine – as it does for all other vaccinations.

Some lawmakers asked about the cost of the vaccine. According to the CDC, the series of three injections costs a total of $360. Balfour said that Gov. Sonny Perdue's proposed budget includes $4.3 million for underinsured children to receive the vaccine. The House and Senate have not yet approved the budget. Balfour also said that he did not know of any insurance companies that do not cover the vaccine.

"It is rare when Georgia leads on public health issues," said Sen. David Adelman (D-Atlanta). "By passing this bill, today will be one of these rare days."

SB 155 now heads to the Senate Rules Committee – chaired by Balfour – for review about whether it merits a vote by the full Senate.

[honeybee]

I am really surprised that the churches aren't more vocal about this.

[summerose]

I agree!

[honeybee]

I mean they are against pre-marital sex, birth control pills, condoms, abortions and the morning after pill because, "they say" it promotes sexual promiscuity.

OK, so what about all the females who have had sex and DON'T have cervical cancer.

Sounds like a big money push and Georgia is already low on Peachcare funds.

I don't have to worry cause lilred is pass the age and grade. I just don't feel it's getting the coverage that it needs.

[honeybee]

Gardasil too new to write off future risks
Gardasil vaccine is relatively new and addresses a health concern that is on the decline.

By WILLIAM T. COOK

Published on: 03/06/07

The question of whether to give our young women and girls the Gardasil vaccine for prevention of cervical cancer is not as straightforward as the drug companies and some state legislators would like us to believe.

It does have promise to be a true public health benefit, but it is too new to know if there may be some long-term health risks.

• Dr. William T. Cook is an obstetrician and gynecologist in Fayetteville.


Medical history is full of new promising developments which later prove the risk may not be worth the hype. Just in the field of gynecology there are two examples of humbling medical advances. In the 1950s we thought that Diethylstilbestrol was a true breakthrough in preventing miscarriage. It took a generation for us to realize that we had triggered an epidemic of ovarian cancer and infertility in the daughters born to those women who had used this drug.

For decades, we believed that it was probably a good idea for women to be on hormone replacement therapy after menopause. Just a few years ago, the Women's Health Study showed us that this is not true for all women.

In making a medical decision, you always need to balance the potential benefit over the potential risks and compare it to the alternatives. Since the development and use of the pap smear, the number of cervical cancer deaths has steadily declined every year. The National Health Institute estimates that there will be less than 3,800 deaths from cervical cancer in 2007 in all of the United States.

Gardasil vaccine is relatively new and addresses a health concern that is on the decline. It makes you wonder what the rush is for a mandated vaccine, other than a patent that will someday expire?

EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING ALL ALONG!!! Not enough research in long term side effects

[honeybee]

THE BILL IS DEAD THIS YEAR AND WON'T GO THROUGH

YEAH! OUR GIRLS WON'T BE GUINEA PIGS FOR A BIG RX COMPANY!!!

[summerose]

That is wonderful news!!!

[mad4martinis]

Could you imagine if this did go through? Jeez. They'll probably come out in a few years saying that it causes some other kind of problem in your body. They thought "vioxx" was the wonder drug too. Look at what that did to people.