Texas Gov. Rick Perry made Texas the first state to require every schoolgirl to be vaccinated for the sexually transmitted Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The plan takes away the right of parents to decide whether their daughters will receive the vaccine.
The HPV vaccine -- marketed as Gardasil -- has the capability of saving lives around the world. But mandating vaccination for pubescent girls raises several important concerns.
Mona Passignano, state issues analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said, as the first in line, Perry had a chance to do this right, but instead he chose an 'opt out' provision.
"Parents should be allowed to choose to opt in to have their young daughters vaccinated for HPV," she said. "An opt-out provision will leave many parents in the dark, if they miss that one form in a stack of other papers. It's disappointing that Governor Perry would choose to disregard parents' rights on this issue."
Parents are the decision makers for their minor children for medical care. If state legislation mandates a vaccine be given, it takes away parental authority.
Additionally, in a normal classroom setting, no child will contract or transmit HPV. It can be prevented, for the most part, by abstinence until marriage.
Parents need to be aware of what actions state legislatures and governors are taking on this important issue.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit the Web site for your state's family policy council. Click here to see a list of states that have one.
Te learn more about HPV vaccination, visit the Focus on Social Issues Web site.
