Cervical Cancer.. Ceriously... (part III)

The senate has cleared a bill to help reduce cervical cancer. It is estimated that 25% of women between the age of 14 and 59 are infected with hpv, the virus that causes cervical cancer. The us immunization council recommend that all girls between the age of 11 and 12 should be vaccinated. The problem is that HPV is sexually transmitted, and many parents do not believe it is necessary for girls that young. Religous representatives especially dissaprove of the bill. They believe the decision to have your daughter vaccinated against a std should be made by their parents, and not the government. However the bill does make exception for religious reasons and those who are medically indigent.

I dont think cervical cancer poses a threat to middle school aged girls, or atleast a harmful threat in which they could hurt anyone but themselves. Regardless, parents should make the decision to vaccinate their children. I think education about the vaccination would be a good idea. The vaccination only helps to reduce the population infected, however why are not all vaccinations then required? What makes HPV more important than others. I dont disagree with the motive behind the proposal, but forcing parents to vaccinate their children i think crosses a line of governing. I also think it would be safe to say that most 11 and 12 year old girls are not sexually active. If it is government funded, which it will be not, it would be a different story. However there should still be exceptions made for religious reasons, and for people who simply do not want the vaccination. Not allowing the choice is a dirrect assault on free will.