Albuquerque, New Mexico is on the verge of becoming the latest state to require sixth-grade girls to be vaccinated against the HPV virus. Currently only Texas requires the vaccine, other states are in the process of considering having the vaccine become mandatory.
Federal regulators have approved the vaccine, made by Merck & Co, but the issue of making it a requirement for girls has been surrounded by controversy. The federal government approved Gardasil, a three-dose vaccine that protects against the human papilloma virus, or HPV, in June 2006 for females ages nine to twenty six. The vaccine protects against the HPV strains that cause cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers.
Some states want the drug to be free to all girls who want it and other states are considering making the cervical vaccine mandatory for girls entering six grade unless their parents sign a form refusing it.
More of The Cancer Blog's coverage of this issue can be found here:
Merck stops cervical cancer vaccine campaign
Texas first to mandate cervical cancer vaccine
Cervical cancer vaccine discount pursued for poor nations
New Hampshire first to immunize young girls
Girls should see gynecologist in early teens
Thirteen year old girl is the first in Britain to have the new cervical cancer vaccine
Vaccine for cervical cancer to be administered to sixth graders
Concerns raised about new cervical cancer vaccine
Cervical cancer vaccine available for college students
Cancer vaccines virginity and sex: a battle first for acceptance
Women In Government applaud FDA approval of cervical cancer vaccine
