Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – Duane Bates

March 13, 2007

THE TEXAS HPV VACCINE CONTROVERSY

Duane Bates

Texas Governor Rick Perry’s Executive Order mandating HPV vaccine shots for all Texas sixth grade girls has caused a major controversy in that state. Perry bypassed the political process with his Executive Order, adding fuel to the controversy because a former aide to the governor now works for Merck, the manufacturer of the vaccine.  A link to a CDC article on the vaccine is posted below.

There is no question that the vaccine will prevent a high percentage of cervical cancer, genital warts and other related cancers of the female reproductive system.  The major issues seems to be the mandated vaccine for sixth grade girls and whether this will encourage sexual activity at an early age and that it improperly interferes with parental rights to educate their children in a manner they choose. Researchers know that the vaccine will provide protection for five years and are continuing the study to determine if booster shots will be required to maintain immunity. If the vaccine can be shown to be effective for ten years, with a booster shot needed after that period, I believe the initial injections should start about age ten.  If the vaccine is initially effective for five years, I believe the initial injections should start a later age to provide protection in the critical teens years.

 As a father of two adult women, a former foster parent and a Child and Adolescent therapist, I know that the majority parents talk a good game when it comes to providing their kids with the information on human sexuality, but actually do everything they can to avoid discussing sexual issues with their kids.  Survey after survey shows that parents want the schools to provide a comprehensive sex education program for their kids because they do not have the knowledge and communication skills to do it and are embarrassed to discuss sex with their kids.

The best way to protect your kids from dangerous behaviors is a six-step program:

·        Model the behavior you expect from your kids 24/7

·        Keep communication channels on every subject open with your kids

·        Provide age-appropriate information on sex

·        Provide age-appropriate supervision

·        Allow them to make non-fatal mistakes so they can develop good judgment

·        Acknowledge your own errors and always be the adult

Texas, like many other states, allows parents to opt-out of all vaccinations for personal, philosophical or religious reasons.  In spite of the reduction, and is some cases, elimination, of serious infectious diseases by vaccination programs throughout the world, the anti-vaccination movement is growing.  I consider the refusal of parents to allow the vaccinations a serious threat to the health of their children.  I have a personal college educated friend who has two children she refused to have vaccinated since she does not believe that bacteria and viruses cause disease.  She is entitled to her beliefs, but she does not have the right to endanger her children’s health by denying them well-established medical treatments, including vaccinations.

This controversy is just in its early stages, with a number of states legislatures debating the subject.  As usual, any issue involving sexual issues, and in particular, sexual issues involving children, are contentious.  Social and religious conservatives continue to assert the primacy of parents control in these issues in spite of clear evidence that the vast majority of parents fail to provide the necessary education and guidance. 

We need to put aside our own beliefs and issues on this subject and focus on doing what is best for our children based on sound scientific information. 

http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-vaccine.htm#hpvvac2

Duane Bates

batesduane@yahoo.com