Will the HPV Vaccine Soon be Mandatory for Schoolgirls?

Merck, maker of the notorious Vioxx, now wants to make their needless human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil a requirement for young women.

Although Merck openly admits its lobbying ties with Women in Government, the mega-drugmaker won't say how much money they're funneling through the non-profit. But here's a possible measuring stick: With Merck doubling its spending on lobbying, just in Texas, to some $250,000, multiply that by 18 and you get almost $5 million.

Spending $5 million (or some $12.5 million if you're considering the whole country) is mere chump change compared to the $1 BILLION Merck could earn annually from Gardasil, says one drug industry analyst.

A New England Journal of Medicine study found the use of condoms reduces the incidence of HPV by 70 percent. And just a reminder, more than 6 million women contract HPV annually, but a woman's immune system is often strong enough to clear up this infection on its own; it's virtually 100 percent avoidable without a vaccine.

If you really want to protect yourself against HPV, in addition to wise sexual practices you can strengthen your immune system by:

• Eating properly
• Exercising regularly
• Getting enough sleep
• Addressing stressors

On Vital Votes, reader Ronn from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, reports the following disheartening news:

"It's now a done deal in Texas -- just saw this news article:

"'... Bypassing the Legislature altogether, Republican Gov. Rick Perry issued an order Friday making Texas the first state to require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer ... Perry ... has said the cervical cancer vaccine is no different from the one that protects children against polio.'

"I'd like to add that the polio vaccine isn't protecting anyone! Remember when Salk was practically canonized for 'curing' polio? In reality, all they did was change the definition of polio to make it look like it had been 'cured'. The people who are getting polio now are the ones receiving the vaccine for it. Check out this site:"

Other responses to this article can be viewed at Vital Votes, and you can add your own thoughts or vote on comments by first registering at Vital Votes.