[paul.fr]

Some states are considering Mandatory Vaccinations against some strains of HPV (human papilloma virus). Are mandatory vaccinations the way to go, or should consent have to be given?

Personally, i am not sure and just wonder what you all think?

[Karen W.]

I just heard this the other day and all the talk was good as far as having it given to all girls as infants with their baby shots, if it could prevent them from becoming infected later in life I am for it. I understand that it is a one time shot. that after being vacinated you would never need another, although they said that about measels mumps and rebella and I had to be revaccinated. I have a cousin who was not vacinated for polio, and she is crippled now as she developed polio as a child.

As far as mandatory, I am not sure I know where I stand, but I would have my childd vacinated if the shot is indeed safe and could possibly protect her in the future. You never know , so for my part better safe then sorry! I know right now my employer is asking that all the women of the site be vacinated for free they will pay as a womens health thing, I think I will go have it done , just for safety issues!I am not saying I am a loose women Absolutely not, LOL but it is still a real problem in society and I would like to think that someday I may have a relationship again..maybe not but precautions are good!!

[paul.fr]

well the particular vaccine is only effective for 5 years (although they say it may offer protection for longer).

you do not have to be promiscuous to get HPV, you can get it with your first sexual encounter. Maybe Kat will raise this on a future naked scientist show?

i can understand why some people will like it to be mandatory, but i can also appreciate others that think parental consent should be given. There are also those who think being vaccinated may lead to more promiscuity!

[Karen W.]

I can see where people might think that. I thought the vacine was a 1 time thing, they must be mistaken at work.. Will have to set them straight..LOL I hate shots! I will probably still have it done.. I don't know..Yes I do understand that it could be passed to you on your first contact, but aside from horrible experiences as a child, my husband has been the only man I have ever been with, physically. I do beleive I am done in that department. each passing day brings that reality closer.. LOL sorry

[WylieE]

you do not have to be promiscuous to get HPV, you can get it with your first sexual encounter. Maybe Kat will raise this on a future naked scientist show?

  Eeks, I hope it's not a kitchen science exp.   [:I]

Yeah, I have heard the people argue that this vaccination will increase promiscuity, but that suprises me.  My guess would be that most teenagers have never heard of HPV before the vaccine became available.  If there are people who avoid sex to avoid STDs it would seem like they will still not be promiscuous until there is an AIDS vaccine, since AIDS is the most publicized STD.

Colleen

[paul.fr]

That is pretty similar to my present thinking, Colleen.

I wonder if there would be a rush to mandatory vaccinations if we had an AIDS vaccine?

[WylieE]

Hmmm, Interesting thought. . . .I don't think it will be too long till we'll be debating that very thing.

[Karen W.]

I bet there would be!! I hope one day soon they do have a vaccine.. so many lives already devastated by this virus.

[paul.fr]

so many lives already devastated by this virus.

yes, an average of 1 million deaths per year.

[another_someone]

I do not think people's sexual behavior is that rational that whether this vaccine is given or not will effect promiscuity.  Even if it had an effect, it will be the mere availability of the vaccine that will have th effect, not whether it is mandatory (those who will see this as a genuine protection, and want to use it as a cover for promiscuity, will scarcely need a law mandating the vaccine, they will merely choose to have the vaccine).

The bigger problem is the more general issue as to whether the State should have the right to dictate to its citizens what health precautions the citizens should take.  Maybe this is a great idea, but what about the next mandated health action, or the one after that - sooner or later, the State will make a mistake, and mandate something that goes terribly wrong - whose responsibility will that be.  If you take the responsibility away from the individual for their own health, will the State really be willing to take responsibility for any mistakes it makes, or will it simply be a case that nobody is responsible when things go wrong.

Then again, any action that is right for 99% of the population, will still be wrong for 1% of the population - all the more reason why the individual must remain responsible for their own health - that individual may be one of the 1%.

[paul.fr]

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/interviews/interview/367/

from the naked scientist about 6 months.

[Karen W.]

Thank you paul, I think this is good information here. Thanks. Gives me alot more understanding of the problem and I suspect I know someone who has been diagnosed and is on an every three month check for cancer now, because of the virusshe carries. So if they can cure a dog or rabit with the virus can they not do the same with a human! and get the same effect!

[paul.fr]

As far as i understand, the phase 3 trials mentioned in that link have now finished. Now i may be wrong, but i believe the vaccine works best if you don't have one of the strains it protects against, in the first place.

although, if you have one of the strains it will still protect you from the others.

[paul.fr]

does my last reply make sense? i will reread it when i have had a sleep!

[Karen W.]

Yes it does and that is what I took from the information also! I hope you sleep well Paul! Ae you still at work or at home?

[elegantlywasted]

As someone who has been infected with HPV (most of us have) I am all for mandatory vaccines. It would be best if all women were serious about getting regular pap smears, but lets be realistic, who actually enjoys that day at the doctors!

In Canada babies get a Chicken Pox vaccine (which does not work mind you). That to me is a much more frivolous protection order. Women, I would say without a doubt, have a better chance of dying from cervical cancer, than chicken pox as a child.

To me the question shouldn't even be raised. At the age of eight it should be given. I have been given Hep B shot, and it has not raised my promiscuity level (only alcohol can do that!!)

A small pinprick in the arm is much better than to be told that you have abnormal cells that can lead to cancer. Woo-Hoo vaccine, I just wish it was available when I was younger

[Karen W.]

 I am sorry, the person in question in my post is my Daughter also. Who is pretty scared now.. with her regular cancer screenings, It is amazing what prevention can do!  If they can cure it in rabits and other criters why not in humans?? I just read something about it in anials last night!