Senate Bill 327 concerning HPV immunization for school age girls has been watered down quite a bit since its introduction. When it was introduced, it required that all female children entering grade 6 be previously immunized against the human pappillomavirus which can cause cervical cancer. (But, it was more of a guideline than a “requirement” in that a student couldn’t be prohibited from attending school for not having the “required” immunization.) This went along with the required immunizations already in place, such as those against diptheria, whooping cough, and mumps. Then, in committee, it turned into more of an informational requirement imposed on the middle schools. They are required to inform parents about the link between HPV and cervical cancer and of the availability of an immunization and to collect data from the parents about whether the girls are getting immunized to transmit to the state department of health.
[tags]SB327-2007, public health[/tags]
Doug
I share in your disappointment with this bill. I believe that the evidence is so strong that it (Gardisal) will become a mainstay of recommended vaccinations by all primary care physicians. In time it will become mandated by schools.
During one lecture that I attended hinted at the recommendations for males. I believe that this is a prevention of some gential cancers and to prevent transmission as well.
Like any new idea it usually takes something three or four times to be introduced so that it is no longer a new idea.
It’s a great idea. Eventually, it will be required nationwide. Right now, the biggest hurdle is the $360 price, and insurers only reimbursing physicians a couple of dollars over the price of the dose. For that couple of dollars, the physician has to maintain a refrigerator at specified temperature, maintain an inventory of this expensive vaccine, maintain insurance against loss and breakage, etc. For that reason, many offices have been reluctant to give it. In our office, we order the vaccine one dose at a time as it is requested, and Merck has offered good support and response time in getting it to us.
The costs will come down as volume increases. Eventually–I don’t believe it will be long–this vaccine will be standard practice for all girls.
I could imagine the vaccine eventually being offered to men. I see more men than women with HPV in my office, anyway. First, Merck will keep expanding the age range to include more women.
The whole right-wing “this will give our kids a green light to have sex” worry hasn’t seemed to be a factor in getting this vaccine to the public.
And will go back up if it’s mandated.
On a slight tangent, my own readings of the Indiana Code have immunized me from being surprised that our legislators don’t know what ‘required’ means.
I think drafting legislation should be limited to people who got a ‘B’ or better in 8th grade English class…
The vast right wing conspiracy that wasn’t, I guess. There are many very right wing people/conspiracy theorists who think that vaccines cause autism, are a government conspiracy to contaminate children with mercury, etc. and object to all vaccinations on that basis. Such people wind up home schooling their children to avoid the public schools and further isolate their children from society. That drawback should be studied to see what can be done educationally to prevent that unfortunate cycle.
My view is that the state went too far on the chicken pox vaccine. Unlike other vaccinated diseases with horrible outcomes, chicken pox is essentially a nuisance illness for which a vaccine ought not be mandated. Every time the government mandates something like that, it should have a good reason. What is that reason with chicken pox, especially since the vaccine is not terribly reliable, from what I understand?
Steve,
Well, chicken pox can leave disfiguring scars, which are particularly unfortunate when they occur on the face.