Shortly after the HPV vaccine, called Gardasil, was approved by the FDA, the push for laws to “encourage” its use by virtually all girls entering the sixth grade began in earnest. Of course, such an approach is a great financial benefit to Merck, expected to make billions off Gardasil. Merck has assisted an organization called Women In Government to push for mandated vaccination, by providing them an undisclosed amount of “unrestricted” funding. In a press release posted on their own web site, it states, “Women In Government, a Washington-based, bipartisan organization of female legislators, is leading a push to make HPV vaccination compulsory in every state.”

Legislation dealing with HPV vaccine requirements for girls in school has been introduced in 15 states, including Illinois, according to a map posted on the Women In Government web site dated 1/20/07. So far, no state has enacted this legislation. HB 115 was introduced in the Illinois House under the title “HPV Prevention.” HB 115 mandates that parents of girls entering the sixth grade must “submit a statement signed by a physician to the effect that the parent or guardian received information on the connection between HPV and cervical cancer and verifying that the child received the HPV vaccine or that the parent or guardian, having received the information, elected not to have the child receive the HPV vaccine.”

In a lengthy statement of concern about the HPV vaccine, the American College of Pediatricians (ACP) states that the organization “is opposed to any legislation which would require HPV vaccination for school attendance. Excluding children from school for refusal to be vaccinated for a disease spread only by penetrating vaginal intercourse is a serious, precedent-setting action that trespasses on the right of parents to make medical decisions for their children as well as on the rights of the children to attend school.” According to the Family Research Council, even the American Academy of Pediatrics is “urging a go-slow approach on school mandates.” Unfortunately, the Academy does not appear to reject mandates, but only supports a delay until more information is available about the reliability of the vaccine. Regarding reliability, ACP’s statement notes “the duration of protection offered by HPV vaccination is uncertain” and points to past history with other vaccines that were later found to need boosters to be effective. Even with the full effectiveness claimed by Merck, Gardasil will not prevent strains of HPV that are known to cause 30% of cervical cancer cases.

Given the questions about effectiveness based on the number of HPV strains not covered, uncertainty on when a booster might be needed, and alternate means to eliminate the risk entirely through behavior choices, parents should not be mandated by law to get their sixth grade daughters vaccinated with Gardasil. Parents should have the right to evaluate the facts and make a judgment about use of this vaccine for their children. HB 115 represents government intrusion into parent rights that will only encourage more intrusion later. Let your state representative know your concerns.

Bill Beckman