Overturn RP65

Great Source for Ongoing News Stories

2007-08-31T09:05:00.000-06:00

A great source to track ongoing news stories - in a variety of areas, not just vaccine related is: www.newsBIGG.com

newsBIGG.com works similiar to Digg.com - you're able to submit stories (if they don't already exist in the database) and vote on them. More popular stories rise to the top.

Again, www.newsBIGG.com

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newsBIGG This

Our Mission Accomplished

2007-05-13T23:18:00.000-06:00

From the outset, this blog was created to track efforts to overturn Gov. Rick Perry's RP65 executive order requiring little girls to be vaccinated for a sexually transmitted disease. Hopefully, our efforts contributed in some small way to the victory achieved.

While there is more work to be done, many of the groups we've linked to maintain a much broader focus on the whole issue of new vaccines, new mandates, safety issues, etc.

So, for the moment, we'll retire and let others do what they do best: watch the overall landscape for threatening vaccination mandates.

As we see fit, we may update this site in the future.

In the meantime, I've become more interested in the explosive problem of identity theft. I encourage you to visit my new blog tracking all the various developments in the identity theft arena. What I tried to do for the HPV vaccine (become a single point of news) I will also try to do for the horrendous problem of identity theft.

Drop by and stay informed on this important issue: www.IdentityLockBlog.info

I recommend you consider protecting your identity with LifeLock - the only service that backs up its protection with a $1 million guarantee. Browse their site and sign up here for a 20% discount on their normal rates with promo code IDBLOG.

Many thanks for all the unnamed people that played such an important role in encouraging the Texas Legislature to reject Governor Perry's rash mandate. The momentous uprising by Texas citizens was really a great moment in politics.

David.

Victory - Tonight at Midnight!

2007-05-08T15:50:00.000-06:00

Victory - in the hard-fought battle against Gov. Rick Perry's rash mandate to require young girls to be vaccinated for a sexually-transmitted disease.

Tonight, Tuesday, at midnight - the bill will become law. That's because Gov. Perry must sign the bill within 10 days, or it becomes law. The ten days is up tonight.

Gov. Perry has announced he won't veto the bill. Nor will he sign it, but it still becomes law.

Read the news here.

Noteworthy details:

Bowing to legislative pressure, Gov. Rick Perry said Tuesday he won't veto a bill that would block state officials from following his order requiring an anti-cancer vaccine for sixth-grade schoolgirls.

Read another article here.

Noteworthy details:

Perry acknowledged the overwhelming disdain of legislators for the mandate and says he'll allow the bill to become law without his signature.

Perry Has 10 Days to Sign, or Else!

2007-04-25T15:11:00.000-06:00

Gov. Rick Perry now has 10 days to sign or veto the legislation approved by the Texas House and Senate, or the bill blocking Gov. Perry's mandate that little girls be vaccinated against a disease that is transmitted only by sexual contact - becomes law. Read more here.

Noteworthy content:

Texas lawmakers rejected Gov. Rick Perry's anti-cancer vaccine order Wednesday, sending him a bill that blocks state officials from requiring the shots for at least four years. Perry has said he is disappointed with the Legislature's actions but has not indicated whether he will veto the bill. He has 10 days to sign or veto it, or the proposal will become law without his signature.

And this:

After an emotional, six-hour public hearing, the House approved a bill last month barring state officials from requiring the vaccine for school attendance. The Senate adopted the bill on Monday, after deciding to let the ban expire in four years so the vaccine's risks and benefits can be re-evaluated.

Senate Blocks Perry's Order on vote of 30-1

2007-04-25T15:07:00.000-06:00

Yestday, the Texas Senate passed a bill designed to block Gov. Perry's rash executive order requiring young girls to be vaccinated for a sexually transmitted disease. On a veto-proof vote of 30-1, the bill was passed. Read more here.

Noteworthy details:

The Senate passed the bill 30-1, sending it back to the House, which passed a similar version 118-23 in March. Both chambers had veto-proof margins. The bill marks a rare showdown between the Republican-controlled legislature and the Republican governor.

And:

Perry's order was controversial because HPV is contracted solely through sexual contact and because many parents teach abstinence. Legislators also were upset that Perry bypassed them.

Overturn Effort Marches Forward

2007-04-11T11:52:00.000-06:00

The bi-partisan, state-wide effort to mow down Gov. Rick Perry's rash mandate of the HPV vaccine continues to steam-roll forward and cut down all objectors in its path. The Senate committee taking up the Senate's version of the bill to block Perry's mandate passed the bill yesterday.

Next stop: the floor of the Senate.

Next, will Gov. Perry have the nerve to veto it? If so, I expect the House and Senate to override his veto - for the first time in many years.

Read the full article here.

Noteworthy content:

A Senate committee signed off on a bill on Tuesday that would bar state health officials from following Gov. Rick Perry's order requiring schoolgirls to be vaccinated against a cancer-causing sexually transmitted disease.

And this:

Perry's order outraged lawmakers from both parties and much of his social conservative base, who questioned the vaccine's safety and efficacy and said the mandate intrudes too far into families' lives.

The bill approved by the House would permanently prohibit the state from adding the HPV vaccine to the list of shots required for school attendance. The Senate's version of the ban would expire in 2011 under the bill the committee approved Tuesday.

Overturn Effort Moves Forward in Texas

2007-04-03T23:46:00.000-06:00

The news has been very quiet lately on the efforts in Texas to overturn Gov. Rick Perry's mandate that young girls be given the HPV vaccine. Thus, this blog's been quiet.

But, the effort moves ahead. From KWTX.COM, this report on the April 10 scheduled hearing of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee that will hear the Senate's version of the bill to block Perry's HPV mandate.

Noteworthy details:

The state Senate Health and Human Services Committee has scheduled an April 10 hearing on a bill that would bar the state from adding the human papillomavirus vaccine to the list of required shots for school attendance.
The House overwhelmingly passed the bill last month, and 16 senators are co-sponsoring an identical proposal.

Vaccine Explosion: Is America Healthier?

2007-03-22T22:41:00.000-06:00

This informative piece from Newsmax.com explores whether the vast increase in the number of mandatory vaccines has actually resulted in better health.

Noteworthy content:

The HPV vaccine rebellion marks the first time that large numbers of parents have questioned the wisdom of a new vaccine. Before the HPV vaccine, new vaccines were regularly introduced and quietly mandated by states across the country. These mandates were enthusiastically supported by public health organizations including the FDA, the CDC, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

And this on the staggering number of vaccination doses a child is supposed to receive:

The CDC today recommends an aggressive immunization schedule beginning at birth with vaccination against hepatitis B. Over the next 12 years, children are supposed to receive a constellation of more than 50 vaccine doses to immunize them against 15 diseases, including HPV.

And this:

"In the last 25 years, we've gone from 23 doses of 7 vaccines to more than 50 doses of 15 vaccines by age 12," says vaccine-safety activist Barbara Loe Fisher, founder of the non-profit National Vaccine Information Center. "At the same time, we have seen an explosion in allergies, asthma and autism. Something has happened. I can't say it's all due to vaccines, but I think it's a question that needs to be answered."

Florida HPV Mandate Effort Stalls

2007-03-22T22:35:00.000-06:00

This press release from the Florida Policy Roundtable, describing the fact that the Florida effort to mandate HPV vaccination has stalled in the Legislature.

Noteworthy content:

Two separate pieces of legislation, designed to mandate vaccinations for the human papillomavirus
(HPV) for 11- and 12-year old Florida students, appear to have stalled in the Florida Legislature. The Florida Policy Roundtable applauds this
development and urges Floridians to continue to contact state legislators.

Track HPV Developments in All States

2007-03-19T10:00:00.000-06:00

The National Conference of State Legislatures has setup a location whereby you can track the progress of all HPV-related legislation in all 50 states. Click here for the site and track your state.

Top Cancer Researcher - Untested HPV Vaccine Could Harm

2007-03-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

This excellent and revealing article reveals what a top cancer researcher believes to be true about the Gardasil HPV vaccine.

The whole article is worth reading, but if you're not able, here's some of the noteworthy content:

A researcher who worked on a vaccine for the human papillomavirus is warning that it hasn't been tested on young girls, is "silly" for states to mandate the vaccination, and in a worst-case scenario could even increase cervical cancer rates. In a report published by the Indiana-based Daily News, researcher Diane M. Harper said giving such a vaccine to 11-year-olds "is a great big public health experiment." Further, she said, requiring vaccinations now "is simply to Merck's benefit."

About Diane Harper:

Harper is a professor and director at the Gynecologic Cancer Prevention Research Group at Dartmouth, and told the publication that there "is not enough evidence gathered on side effects to know that safety is not an issue."

And this:

"This vaccine should not be mandated for 11-year-old girls," Harper said. "It's not been tested in little girls for efficacy. At 11, these girls don't get cervical cancer – they won't know for 25 years if they will get cervical cancer." She said the vaccine is not a cancer vaccine or cure – it just prevents development of a virus that could lead to cancer.

And finally this:

Harper told the publication she's attempted to publicize her opinion for months, "but no one will print it."

TN State Health Official Wary of Mandating Gardasil

2007-03-18T21:01:00.000-06:00

From Tennessee direction, this article reports that the TN state health official does not presently believe an HPV vaccination mandate is appropriate. Although her language is less that firm (and is in fact the typical government-speak mumbo-jumbo), it is clear she's not yet ready to mandate Gardasil.

Noteworthy content:

"Do I think every female child should be protected against cervical cancer? If there's a way to do it, yes," said Tennessee Commissioner of Health Susan Cooper, speaking in Chattanooga. "Do I think we know enough about the long-term outcomes of this vaccine to say we ought to mandate it today? Maybe not."

And this which indicates a remarkable dose of sanity exists within at least some in the Tennessee Legislature:

In Tennessee, Republican legislators Rep. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, and Sen. Raymond Finney, R-Maryville, introduced a bill last month that would give the General Assembly alone the authority to require the vaccine.

Bravo.

Let's Innoculate With the Facts!

2007-03-18T20:54:00.000-06:00

From one of my favorite groups, the Cato Institute (www.cato.org) - comes this excellent analysis of the Gardasil HPV Vaccination fiasco in Texas. Read the full article here.

Noteworthy content:

There's nothing wrong with a drug maker publicizing its products and their benefits, but the lure of lucrative government contracts can prompt them to play fast and loose. In lobbying Texas lawmakers to make its latest vaccine mandatory, Merck has exaggerated both the threat of a disease and the ability of a drug to prevent it.

And this:

These mandates would be quite a boon for Merck, as Gardasil is one of the most expensive vaccines on the market. With a price tag of $360 for a series of three shots, vaccinating approximately 30 million middle school-aged girls in the United States would bring in more than $10 billion.

And finally this, which is consistent with the financial relevance questions we've been asking on this blog:

Gardasil is not all it is cracked up to be. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates that among women ages 14 to 24, the rate of all 37 types of sexually transmitted HPV combined is 33.8 percent — already a number much lower than the 50 percent figure sited on Merck's Web site. But the rates for the two types of HPV responsible for 70 percent of all cervical cancers (16 and 18), are far lower: only 1.5 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively.

The American Cancer Society sees its fight against cervical cancer as a success story even without Gardasil. When detected early through Pap testing, the survival rate for cervical cancer is over 90 percent. Thus, when early detection methods are used, only around 0.2 percent of the girls being vaccinated are actually at risk of dying of cervical cancer from HPV 16 or 18 even without the vaccine.

Under these circumstances, are we really prepared to spend $10 billion administering this vaccine?

Michigan HPV Mandate: "On Hold"

2007-03-16T23:28:00.000-06:00

More efforts to mandate the HPV vaccinations are failing around the country. This report from Michigan.

Noteworthy content:

Parents and physicians concerned about state lawmakers requiring HPV immunizations without knowing the long-term physical and social effects won a victory this week. Bills introduced in January have not left Senate and House health policy committees. “We’re on hold for now,” said anesthesiologist and committee chair Sen. Tom George, R-Portage, noting the controversial nature of the issue being discussed across the country.

Texas Veto Showdown Coming?

2007-03-16T23:25:00.000-06:00

With the Texas House passing HB 1098 to rescind Gov. Rick Perry's mandate for HPV vaccination, and the Senate preparing to do the same, a possible veto showdown is looming on the horizon in Texas. Read this article for details.

Noteworthy content:

The approval margin, 119-21, exceeded the two-thirds of the 150-member House needed to override a veto. Similar Senate action could foreshadow the first override of a veto since the Democratic-majority Legislature reversed GOP Gov. Bill Clements on a measure affecting Comal County in 1979.

And this from the Senate side of things:

Sen. Glenn Hegar, R-Katy, author of companion legislation, predicted the Senate will likewise reverse Perry by a two-thirds margin: "We can certainly get the bill passed out in plenty of time. If the governor vetoes the bill, we'll certainly have adequate time to override."

Colorado HPV Vaccination Mandate Fails

2007-03-16T23:16:00.000-06:00

This report from Colorado, details the failure of their HPV vaccination mandate attempt.

Noteworthy content:

A State Senate panel has rejected a watered-down proposal, designed to encourage cervical cancer vaccinations for young girls. Lawmakers refused to approve a version that would only require doctors to tell parents about the shots.

And this:

But even the weaker version fell short. The Senate Appropriations Committee deadlocked on a 5-to-5 vote, so the bill will NOT move on to the full Senate.

US House Bill Would Prohibit Funding HPV Mandates

2007-03-16T23:10:00.000-06:00

A bill introduced by Georgia Representative Phil Gingrey (an obstetrician and gynecologist) would prohibit states from using any federal funds for mandating the HPV vaccination. Read the full article here.

Noteworthy content:

"Mandating the HPV vaccination is both unprecedented and unacceptable," said Rep. Phil Gingrey, a Republican, who is an obstetrician and gynecologist. "Whether or not girls get vaccinated against HPV is a decision for parents and physicians, not state governments."

And this:

The Washington Times has reported that Gardasil is known to be effective for only five years, leaving a high percentage vulnerable to cervical cancer. Data from the American Cancer Society show that women between 40 and 55 overwhelmingly get cervical cancer more than any other age group. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the reasoning behind its recommendation that girls ages 11 and 12 get the vaccine is to protect the girls before sexual contact.

Finally:

"If this bill were enacted, it would signal the end of state vaccine mandates [for HPV]," said Lawrence Gostin, director of the Center for Law and the Public's Health at Johns Hopkins and Georgetown universities. "No state could forgo the considerable federal funds." Mr. Gostin added that it is very common for states to use federal money to help children receive vaccinations.

House Passes HB 1098!

2007-03-13T17:16:00.000-06:00

Lots of news coverage about the stunning rebuke to Governor Rick Perry's executive order requiring young girls to be vaccinated for a disease that is only transmitted via sexual activity.

The vote was 119 to 21 - which is a veto proof majority.

The attention will now move to the Senate, which is also expected to their bill via a large, veto-proof majority.

Various news stories for your perusal:

House Overwhelmingly Passes HB 1098

2007-03-13T16:57:00.000-06:00

In a stinging rebuke to Gov. Perry, the Texas House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed HB 1098. The vote was 119 to 21.

From Representative Bonnen - this release:

BONNEN PASSES BILL TO REVERSE HPV VACCINE MANDATE
HB 1098 Overrides
Governor's Executive Order

Today I successfully passed HB 1098 on the House floor with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 119-21. This bill reverses the Governor's executive order mandating the HPV vaccine of all eleven-year old girls entering the sixth grade and ensures that parents are given back the right to individually decide what is best for their children.

I am not opposed to the HPV vaccine but I am strongly opposed to the state telling parents that we know better than they do. Until we know how the vaccine could affect the future health of these young girls, it would be extremely irresponsible for us to mandate it.
We'd be sending a false message to families saying that we know it is safe when,
in reality, there are so many questions left unanswered about its effectiveness
and long-term implications. I am authoring HB 1098 to reverse the Governor's mandate and ensure Texas eleven-year-olds are not used as Merck's guinea pigs.

I will continue to fight for the rights of families on this issue as this bill now moves over to the Senate for further debate.

Texas House Debates Today to Overturn RP65!

2007-03-13T08:38:00.000-06:00

Today, the Texas House of Representatives will debate HB 1098, a bill designed to overturn Rick Perry's executive order that mandated young girls be vaccinated for HPV - a virus that is spread only through sexual contact.

Read coverage here.

Noteworthy content:

One of the most controversial issues in Texas right now will take center stage at the Capitol Tuesday. Legislators who complained they didn't get to weigh in on Gov. Rick Perry's anti-cancer vaccine mandate will get that chance Tuesday.

One-hundred-fifty state representatives will debate a bill that would keep the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine off the list of required shots for school attendance. The vaccine protects against strains of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer.

And this:

The House's vote will come after two lawmakers announced that they had met with Attorney General Greg Abbott. They say he told them the governor's executive order requiring the vaccine does not carry the weight of law.

"Basically, what he told us is that the governor can't require an agency to do something through an executive order, that they don't already have the authority to do," said Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Lewisville).

Texas AG - Perry Order Does Not Carry Force of Law

2007-03-12T17:24:00.000-06:00

According to those who have met with the Texas Attorney General, they report that he has found that Gov. Rick Perry's order mandating the vaccination of young girls for a sexually transmitted disease does not carry the force of law. Read the article here.

Noteworthy content:

Two legislators who met with Attorney General Greg Abbott say Gov. Rick Perry's anti-cervical cancer vaccine order does not carry the weight of law.
A statement Monday from the lawmakers says Texas health officials aren't required to follow last month's executive order.

And this:

Senator Jane Nelson of Lewisville and Representative Jim Keffer of Eastland later asked Abbott to clarify the governor's authority on executive orders and the Legislature's ability to overrule them.

The two lawmakers released a statement saying it appears the order is, in effect, an "advisory order" and does not carry the weight of law.

D.C. Protests Against Mandatory HPV Vaccination

2007-03-09T17:05:00.000-06:00

This article covers protests in the nation's capital following introduction of a bill to require vaccination for young girls.

Noteworthy content:

Chanting “not on our daughters” and holding signs that read “children are not guinea pigs,” protesters accused Council Members David Catania, I-at large, and Mary Cheh, D-Ward 3, of being in the pocket of lobbyists for Merck, the company that manufactures the HPV vaccination Gardasil. The Federal Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine in June.

And this from a doctor speaking about HPV:

“It’s one of the rarest gynecological cancers,” said retired obstetrician/gynecologist Nancy Banks at Thursday’s protest. “It can be prevented by using condoms.”

House Debate Set for Tuesday on HB 1098

2007-03-09T17:00:00.000-06:00

House debate is set to begin on Tuesday for HB 1098 - the bill to overturn Gov. Rick Perry's executive order mandating the HPV vaccine for all sixth grade girls in Texas. The bill has at least 90 co-sponsors, almost the 2/3rd's needed for a veto-proof margin. Read the full article here.

Merck's Murky Dealings

2007-03-09T01:02:00.000-06:00

Over at CorpWatch.com, this excellent article and rich editorial cartoon.

Noteworthy content:

In early January Marilyn Canavan and Andrea Boland, two legislators from wintry Maine, traveled to the tourist resort of Marco Island, Florida, for a conference organized by Women in Government (WIG), a non-profit organization.

And their thoughts on the pressure at this "conference":

"The tenor of presentations (they were not discussions)“ seemed one-sided to me," said Canavan, a four-term legislator. "I remember thinking as I was leaving the meeting, 'I just don't want to do this ... we need to have public dialogue.'"

Boland also reported "a pull to get on board [promoting vaccination]... and when I raised questions, the response was 'Do you want your daughter to die of cancer?'"

And this:

What Boland and Canavan had come to realize was that the Florida conference presentations had been part of a state-by-state lobbying campaign spearheaded by WIG to support Merck's efforts to make Gardasil mandatory. WIG members were well placed to promote bills in state legislatures or help convince governors to promote that agenda. But revelations of money trails and the rush to make a new vaccine mandatory created a backlash and forced Merck, on February 20th, to publicly abort its lobbying campaign for mandatory vaccination of school girls.

Harvard Debate Team: No HPV Mandate

2007-03-07T12:33:00.000-06:00

Harvard's debate team recently wrestled with the issue of forcing HPV vaccinations. After a heated debate, they came out against forcing HPV vaccinations. Read about it here.

Noteworthy content:

The bill’s opponents, however, focused on the rarity of the virus and maintained that the costs would outweigh the benefits. Ewalt claimed that only 0.00001 percent of American women would contract the virus.

Andrew W. Liang ’08 urged caution.

“Only five years of testing has been conducted, making it necessary to see long-term results of the vaccination before government involvement is increased,” he said.

HPV Propanganda Heats Up

2007-03-06T15:03:00.000-06:00

In a predictable fashion, the HPV vaccination-propaganda machine is heating up, in an effort to put out the raging opposition to the HPV vaccine mandate.

After licking their wounds for a few weeks, now they're back in attack mode.

Now the consistent message is essentially, "Don't let the facts on HPV get obscured by paranoia." The basic message goes something like this:

We've got a vaccine that cures cancer.
Sure, mistakes were made in trying to force the issue in Texas.
Sure, Perry has a PR problem with accepting donations from Merck.
Sure, Merck was heavy-handed in their lobbying efforts.
But, don't lose sight of the fact that we can save the lives of many women with this vaccine.

Such propaganda pieces can be seen here and here. They're worth reading only for the similarity of their message - it would appear that talking points have been distributed.

Well, do they have a point?

Not by a long shot.

Let's let the facts speak.

Let's listen to the facts presented by the CDC, the Federal Government, Doctors, and Merck themselves:

Most cases of HPV resolve themselves without any symptoms or treatment. Source: CDC.
Doctors estimate 90% of HPV cases resolve on their own without medical intervention. Source: Medical Accountability Network.
The most effective thing a woman can do to avoid HPV infections is (a) limit number of sexual partners ("1" sexual partner is the right number) and (b) get regular pap smears. Source: CDC.
Most women who develop cervical cancer have not had regular cervical cancer screening (pap smears). Source: CDC.
Even women vaccinated with Gardasil still need to get regular cervical cancer screenings, because Gardasil does not protect against the viruses that cause 30% of cervical cancers. Source: CDC.
Vaccinating a million women with Gardasil would cost $360 million dollars ($360 times 1,000,000 women).
Doctors estimate, based upon Merck's own effectiveness studies, that such an effort would save 1 or 2 deaths. Source: Medical Accountability Network.
This is because Merck's own testing showed (in one test group) only a 12% reduction in actual HPV infection rates. Source: Gardasil Insert, by Merck & Co. Inc.
But let's be extra charitable and suppose the effectiveness is actually 3 times greater than what Merck's own data suggests. And let's round up to 2 lives saved per year. So, after spending $360 million, we save 6 lives.
At what cost? Each life cost $60 million to save.
Every life is precious, but I suggest that if we spent $360 million dollars toward education concerning obesity, heart disease, etc. that we would save far more lives than just 6.
Cervical cancer kills about 3670 women per year. Source: American Cancer Society. Out of a total population of women, this is a death rate of 12.29 women per million women.
Heart disease by contrast kills about 444,465 women per year. Source: American Heart Association. This is a death rate of 1489 women per million women.
Remember that to vaccinate those 1 million women will cost $360 million dollars. Supposing a 50% effectiveness rate (much greater than Merck's own studies claim) - we save 6 lives at a cost of $60 million per life.
Remember also that monogamy is the most effective way to prevent such infections. And, if one gets an HPV infection, routine pap smears are the most effective way to catch such infections early.
On the other hand, instead of cervical cancer which kills 12 women per million women, we have heart disease which kills 1489 women per million women.
If $360 million towards heart disease (spent for educational programs, or community-based cardiovascular screening clinics, etc.) were to lower the death rate just by 2% (not nearly the 50% we assume with Gardsail) - we would save 30 lives.

So friends, get the facts not the hype. The HPV/Cervical Cancer crisis is a crisis created in the boardroom of Merck in order to replace the revenue lost from the Vioxx debacle. See this link for a 2006 news article on CNNMoney.com which documents this.

National Medical Association: No to HPV Mandate

2007-03-06T15:01:00.000-06:00

The NMA (National Medical Association) has issued a press release in which they endorse the use of the HPV vaccine, but do not endorse the idea of an HPV vaccination mandate.

Full text here.

Noteworthy content:

The decision to require this vaccine for
adolescents, 11 to 12 years of age, should be one left to parents, after
appropriate education regarding risk and benefits, rather than mandating it
through the legislative process," concluded Morris.

Rick Perry Likens HPV Vaccine to Polio Vaccine

2007-03-05T21:08:00.000-06:00

In his ever continuing public-relations debacle, Gov. Rick Perry recently likened the HPV vaccine to the Polio vaccine. Read the article here.

Noteworthy content:

In response to the backlash that erupted after his mandate of the cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil last month, Gov. Rick Perry compared it to another vaccine.

"I look at this no different than vaccinating our children for polio," he said.

But one qualified expert disagrees:

David Oshinsky, chair of UT's history department, disagrees with the governor.

"It was very different," said Oshinsky, who won the 2006 Pultizer Prize in history for his book on the American polio epidemic.

And this:

...Oshinsky said there is really only one reason Perry would compare the two - polio's success. "It was this enormous national effort that saved millions of children from death or paralysis," he said. "I think they keep bringing it up, because polio is the great success story."

And finally, this perspective from Oshinsky:

"There were children getting polio all around the country. You could see the impact of polio in the way the whole nation was united in the attempt to develop a vaccine," Penticuff said. "With [Gardasil], it's quite a while before a young girl would develop into a young woman or a middle-aged woman and run the risk of cervical cancer."

Wisconsin Effort To Mandate HPV Vaccine Loses Support

2007-03-05T20:58:00.000-06:00

This article details the failing momentum for a Wisconsin bill to mandate the HPV Vaccine.

Noteworthy content:

Momentum for legislation that would require sixth-grade girls to get vaccinated against cervical cancer is dying.

and this:

Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, said she had expected to co-sponsor the bill, but changed her mind after she learned it mandated the vaccine.

More than 20 state legislatures are debating whether to mandate the vaccine.

The idea caused trouble for Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who this year issued an executive order requiring the vaccine for all sixth-grade girls. It turned out Perry's former chief of staff was a lobbyist for Merck, the vaccine's manufacturer.

NY Daily News: No Mandates on HPV!

2007-03-02T13:40:00.000-06:00

This opinion piece, written by Michelle McMurry, a medical doctor, argues that states should not mandate the HPV vaccine until we have enough time to know that it is truly safe.

I disagree with her ultimate conclusion that it should be mandated after we know the vaccine is safe. There's no reason for a mandate for such a vaccine. Nevertheless, I note yet another M.D.'s opinion: It's just too soon for a mandate for Gardasil.

Noteworthy content:

Is the new vaccine safe? I'm afraid the answer is ... we just don't know yet.

And this:

We often discover new complications and risks only after a drug or vaccine is released "into the wild." The upshot: Mandating a new drug or vaccine may be worth the risk when it prevents a contagious, fatal childhood disease such as polio. But cervical cancer is a preventable - through Pap smears - often treatable and sometimes survivable adult illness.

SMU Opinion: HPV Mandate a Bad Idea

2007-03-02T13:38:00.000-06:00

From Southern Methodist University (SMU) - this opinion article.

Noteworthy content:

Ed Board would like to take a few moments to congratulate Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

After all, it's not everyone who can draw the ire of both conservatives and liberals with one fell swoop.

And this:

It's not just conservatives who are against the mandate, though. Many liberals (and come to think of it, conservatives too) think that the vaccine is too expensive - it's $360 per round of shots, according to slate.com. That's $360 per child that could be spent on desperately needed school supplies, teacher raises or better programs. Plus, the vaccine is still in its early stages; it hasn't been studied enough to be declared safe for what will constitute (in time) more than half of the Texas population.

Setting the Record Straight - CDC's HPV Infection Numbers

2007-03-02T13:31:00.000-06:00

Just the other day, the news was all ablaze with the supposedly horrendous news that 25% of all women are infected with the human papillamovirus (HPV). News anchors and newspaper writers breathlessly tell us, "This is the virus that can lead to cervical cancer."

Thankfully, some medical professionals are concerned with getting the facts right. The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) has released this helpful perspective on the recent HPV hysteria.

Read the whole piece, but here are some especially noteworthy sections:

But what most stories are leaving out is that the same study finds that only about 2 percent of the subjects were infected with the types that are high-risk to develop into cancer. And that only 3.4 percent were infected with the types that are targeted by the HPV vaccine.

And this:

The study also explains that “Although HPV infection is common, studies suggest approximately 90% of infections clear within 2 years.”

HB 2326 Filed - Addresses Root of the HPV Problem

2007-03-02T13:20:00.000-06:00

Representative Charlie Howard's office notified me today that Representative Howard has filed HB 2326 which will move the power to add mandatory vaccines from one person, to the Legislature. This bill really gets to the heart of the HPV mandate problem.

Previously, the power to mandate a vaccine for public school attendance was in the hands of one individual: the Health & Human Services Commissioner.

Thus, Perry was able to mandate via Executive Order RP65 that the Health & Human Services Commissioner himself mandate the HPV vaccine.

If HB 2326 can become law, this power to add mandatory vaccine will rest in the hands of the people - the Legislature - where it truly belongs.

Read the full text of the bill here as a pdf file, or here as an html file.

Contact your Representative and voice your support for this bill. Like all bills, this will need to be voted on in committee first. When I know committee assignment (I expect it will be the Public Health Committee), I will update this blog with that information.

In the mean-time, continue to express support to your representatives for HB 1098 - which blocks Perry's mandate.

CDC Panel Chairman: "No" to HPV Mandates

2007-03-01T11:34:00.000-06:00

The chairman of the government's panel that ultimately recommended approval of the Gardasil HPV vaccine says that lawmakers should not make the HPV vaccine mandatory. Read the full article here from the Washington Times.

Noteworthy content:

Dr. Jon Abramson, chairman of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP), also said he and panel members told Merck & Co., the drug Gardasil's maker, not to lobby state lawmakers to require the vaccine for school attendance.
"I told Merck my personal opinion that it shouldn't be mandated," Dr. Abramson told The Washington Times. "And they heard it from other committee members."

And stating what most parents have long understood:

Dr. Abramson said he opposes mandating Gardasil, which prevents the cervical-cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV), because the sexually transmitted HPV is not a contagious disease like measles and he is not sure states can afford to inoculate all students.
"The vaccines out there now are for very communicable diseases. A child in school is not at an increased risk for HPV like he is measles," Dr. Abramson said.

Perry's Big Change

2007-03-01T11:26:00.000-06:00

Interesting article chronicling Perry's big change from die-hard conservative Governor to big $$$, big government Republican. Read full article here.

Noteworthy content:

Whatever its impetus, Perry's current grandstanding – and the backlash against it – has been the talk of the 80th Legislature. It is also why members of his own party, with ample and eager assistance from Democrats, are taking unprecedented measures to rein him in. Just 60 days into his third term in office, the impeccably groomed governor has become a political version of Pigpen, the Peanuts character whose trademark is a constant cloud of dust that follows his every move.

Speaking of Perry's HPV Mandate:

The mandate, which several legal experts have deemed unconstitutional, touched off a national debate. It also enraged conservatives who charge it will promote promiscuity. It also raised concerns about the safety of the recently introduced vaccination drug (Gardasil), as well as the aggressive legislative lobbying program launched by Merck & Co., the pharmaceutical company marketing the drug, to try to secure vaccine requirements in every state.

and this:

Perry (a Democrat in his former life in the House) appears to have waded boldly into the muddle – and gotten stuck. Indeed, the negative legislative and public reaction has been enough to make one wonder whether Perry or his advisers even considered doing any political groundwork before announcing such a peremptory decision. The Associated Press turned up the most notable fumble: Perry's chief of staff and other top aides met for an "HPV Vaccine for Children Briefing" on the same day last October that Merck donated $5,000 to Perry's campaign.

Texas Health Official Grilled Over HPV Mandate

2007-03-01T11:11:00.000-06:00

From WAOI.com, this report about the grilling by the Senate of Texas Health & Human Services Commissioner Albert Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins has been reappointed to the state's top health position by Governor Perry. He must receive Senate confirmation.

Noteworthy content:

A normally sedate Senate confirmation hearing turned ugly on Wednesday as lawmakers angrily questioned the state's health and human services chief about the governor's anti-cancer vaccine executive order.

and this:

Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Albert Hawkins' reappointment was left pending in the Senate nominations committee after several members complained that he hadn't answered many of their concerns.

"There's nothing to gain from hurrying up and doing that decision right away," said committee chairman Sen. Mike Jackson, a Republican from La Porte. "We need to be sure that we're making the right decision."

and this:

But Hawkins incensed Republican Sen. Kevin Eltife of Tyler when he refused to say whether he felt HPV and cervical cancer were an emergency issue for Texas.

Lawmakers have said the issue isn't an emergency and have insisted Perry should have let them decide whether to require the vaccine.

Hawkins repeatedly told Eltife that he couldn't say whether the situation was an emergency until he heard from experts on both sides of the debate during the rulemaking process.

When asked after the hearing if Hawkins' ties to Perry made it difficult for him to answer, Eltife said: "That's my exact point."

"This should not be a political answer," he said. "He should not cover for anyone. He should tell us as the commissioner of the state of Texas what he believes."

From 2006: Gardasil is Merck's Savior

2007-02-27T14:04:00.000-06:00

From this May 16, 2006 article at CNNMoney.com - which shows that Merck was counting heavily on Gardasil to save the day, financially speaking, in the wake of the Vioxx withdrawal and expiring patents on some of its most profitable drugs.

Noteworthy content:

Merck needs a hit, and it just might be on the verge of getting one, thanks to some delicate footwork with the religious right.

and this:

If approved Gardasil could be a multi-billion blockbuster for Merck.

and this:

The experimental vaccine is backed by strong clinical data and has been hailed as a bright light for Merck (up $0.60 to $35.29, Research), a drug giant that is losing billions of dollars in annual sales to impending patent expirations, as well as the withdrawal of its blockbuster Vioxx.

and finally this:

If the FDA approves Gardasil, it would help fill part of the sales vacuum left by Vioxx, an arthritis painkiller that Merck pulled off the market in 2004 after a study showed an increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Not only did this erase $2.5 billion in annual sales, but about 11,500 lawsuits have been filed against Merck by former patients and their families.

Merck Visits This Website! Welcome!

2007-02-27T14:01:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Merck & Co, Inc. as they visited this website yesterday.

Perhaps we can be of service to you. We have all the latest news on the grass-roots prairie-fire you ignited when you persuaded Gov. Rick Perry to force little girls to have a vaccine for a disease that is only transmitted through sexual activity.

Let us know how we can help.

From the visitor logs of this website for Monday, February 26, 2007:

ISP: (Merck And Co. Inc)
New Jersey, Woodbridge, United States

Follow the Money Trail

2007-02-27T13:54:00.000-06:00

From the American Policy Roundtable, this informative article.

I'm unable to post excerpts easily from their site, so follow the link for much useful information.

Ohio Governor: No HPV Vaccine Mandates!

2007-02-27T13:46:00.000-06:00

Joining a long line of Governors and Legislators, the Ohio Governor, Ted Strickland is saying "No" to the idea of a mandated HPV vaccine. Read the full article here.

Noteworthy content:

While calling a new vaccine that protects against a virus that causes cervical cancer a "major medical breakthrough," Gov. Ted Strickland said he does not favor making it mandatory.

{I strongly disagree that Gardasil is a "medical breakthrough." It is more accurate to say that it is a over-hyped vaccine whose primary affect will be to rescue Merck from the Vioxx financial debacle. But I note Gov. Strickland's opposition to mandating it. -dw}

And this:

"I think there are problems in trying to make it mandatory, and so that's not where I'm going," Mr. Strickland said. "I think there are legitimate questions about when it should be administered," he said.

And this - from a Legislator in Ohio who thinks it is good for the government to force young girls to receive this vaccine for a disease that is purely transmitted by sexual activity:

"I'm hoping to share the facts with [the governor], particularly that as many as 10,000 new cases are diagnosed annually [nationally], that there are almost 4,000 deaths, and that this vaccine is effective in preventing the risk of cervical cancer," she said.

Perhaps she should also tell the Governor of Ohio that the CDC says this is the best way to protect against cervical cancer (link):

While an HPV infection is needed to develop cervical cancer, other factors increase a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer. A woman can best protect herself from cervical cancer by

Limiting her number of sexual partners
Getting screened regularly with a Pap test
Following up any abnormal Pap test results as recommended by her health care provider
Not smoking cigarettes

HPV Vaccine: Betting on a Mercky Record

2007-02-27T09:39:00.000-06:00

Here's an interesting article at a website called "In These Times." Read the full-text here.

(Note: I disagree strongly with some of the author's conclusions about the effectiveness of Gardasil. Also, there is some language in this article that is unnecessarily rough or offensive. But, I find his conclusions about the "shady deal" that took place in Texas to be on the money.)

Noteworthy content:

The stealth timing (late on Friday, just before Super Bowl Sunday), politics (Perry is a pro-abstinence Christian Conservative), and speed of Perry’s order (just months after the FDA approved the vaccine and before all the data have been published) raised questions. It soon emerged that the WIG state director is the mother-in-law of Perry’s current chief of staff, and his former chief of staff is now one of Merck’s three Texas lobbyists. The governor received $6,000 from Merck’s political action committee.

and this:

While Perry’s pace is suspect, Merck’s is transparent. If Gardasil becomes routine, the $360 course will generate annual sales of $3.2 billion by 2010. This potential windfall has led cynics to dub the push the “Help Pay for Vioxx” program. Before Merck withdrew the arthritis drug in 2004, it may have caused almost 28,000 deaths, according to FDA estimates. In one Texas liability trial, lawyers produced documents and e-mails from Merck scientists discussing Vioxx’s potential heart risks as early as 1997, more than two years before it went on the market.

and this:

“The safety of new agents cannot be known with certainty until a drug has been on the market for years,” according to a 2002 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “Serious ADRs [adverse drug reactions] commonly emerge after Food and Drug Administration approval.” Reacting to outrage over Vioxx and other drug safety debacles, the FDA announced on Jan. 30 that it will eventually require comprehensive safety reviews of new drugs 18 months after their introduction.

LA Times: Perry Meets Swift Resistance

2007-02-26T13:09:00.000-06:00

The LA Times reports on what YOU have done in this fight over the mandated HPV vaccine. Read the article here.

When Texas Gov. Rick Perry ordered that all of the state's middle-school-aged girls be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer, the backlash was swift and sure.

and this:

Texas lawmakers, unhappy that Perry sidestepped their authority, pushed a bill through committee that would rescind the mandate. Cosigned by 90 of 150 members of the state House of Representatives, it is all but certain to pass.

And on Friday, the unidentified parents of three Texas girls sued Perry for overstepping his authority and illegally requiring the vaccine for preteens.

and this:

But measures introduced by lawmakers in at least 31 states also have triggered negative fallout, said James Colgrove, a medical historian at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.

Perry Interviewed on FoxNews

2007-02-26T12:30:00.000-06:00

Gov. Perry was interviewed yesterday on FoxNews. See the transcript here.

Perry continues to pretend as though the supposed "$350 million" Texas spends on cervical cancer every two years will just magically go away when Texas starts spending $35 million" on the Gardasil vaccine every two years.

Let's look at the numbers with a good dose of reality.

Texas spends $175 million every year on Medicaid costs to deal with cervical cancer.

How much of this will be eliminated by the $17.5 million per year on Gardasil?

Not one penny. Because the vaccine does absolutely nothing for a woman that has already been exposed to the HPV virus, something that typically happens years before any actual cervical cancer. Remember, the CDC indicates that most HPV infections go away without any symptoms or treatment. Only a very few go on to develop pre-cancerous lesions, and only a small percentage of those go on to actual cervical cancer.

But of the group that are vaccinated, won't this vaccine prevent HPV infections and thus prevent cervical cancer?

Only very slightly.

Merck's own packaging insert for Gardasil shows that the actual reduction rate of HPV infections ranged from about 12% to 32% as compared to a placebo. Read our prior post with information from the Medical Accountability Network (a group of doctors).

Their conclusions, from the government's data and Merck's data, is that in the age category approved for the vaccine (ages 9-26) there are 30-40 cervical cancer cases per 1 million women. Using Merck's 12% reduction number, that means there will then be 25-35 cases per year per million women. 37% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer will die from it, so Gardasil will save 1-2 deaths.

All at a cost of $360 million to vaccinate 1 million women ($360 for the 3-shot dose).

West Virginia Editorial - Let HPV Mandates Die

2007-02-24T16:11:00.000-06:00

Interesting editorial from the Herald Dispatch in West Virginia, arguing that Delegate Don Perdue should allow a bill (introduced into the WV House of Delegates in order to require HPV vaccinations) ought to be allowed to die.

Noteworthy content:

Merck & Co. has suspended its nationwide push to have all 50 states require all sixth-grade girls to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer. That's good, but not for the most obvious reasons. As more becomes known about the vaccine and Merck's lobbying efforts, the worse things look for the company.

and:

If there was ever a question about how not to run a lobbying campaign for a drug, Merck has answered it. Reasonable people can disagree on the merits of vaccinating girls as young as
11 against a virus that causes an estimated 70 percent of cervical cancers. Medical authorities themselves are still debating that question.

Parents Sue Gov. Rick Perry Over Vaccine Mandate

2007-02-23T15:47:00.000-06:00

Some parents have sued Gov. Rick Perry over his HPV vaccine mandate.

Read the papers that have been filed on this case here.

Baltimore Sun: Profit Breakdown for Gardasil

2007-02-23T15:41:00.000-06:00

This from the Baltimore Sun, read full article here.

This pie chart, the work of Wall Street Analysts, shows the estimated breakdown of the profit and costs for Gardasil.

Clearly, lots of profit.

Perhaps, if they have altruistic goals, they might reduce the profit margin from 65%.

Oklahoma Shelves Plans for HPV Vaccine Mandate

2007-02-23T15:38:00.000-06:00

Oklahoma is another in a long list of states that has considered mandating the HPV vaccination for young girls - but has shelved those plans due to the reaction of voters. Read the article here.

Noteworthy content:

A Texas governor has ordered it, and an Oklahoma senator wants it to become part of public policy.

However, the idea of mandating girls 11 or 12 years old receive a new vaccine to prevent HPV, the human papilloma virus, is getting lukewarm reception in Enid — at least for the time being.

and this:

State Rep. Mike Jackson, R-Enid, said one of the major debates in the House over mandating the vaccine is whether it takes away the choice of the parent.

“For the most part, it takes away the decision from the parent,” Jackson said. “At this point, to structure public policy to adhere to what is brand new without a lot of research is probably too quick of a step.”

More Details on How Perry's HPV Mandate Was Born

2007-02-23T12:42:00.000-06:00

In an excellent article from the Austin-American Statesman, pieces are coming together on how the HPV mandate was put together by Perry.

Noteworthy content:

This e-mail and other documents obtained by the Austin American-Statesman under Texas open records laws reveal new details about how Texas became the first state to require the vaccine that helps prevent cervical cancer. They show that the governor's office had been talking about HPV with drug maker Merck for at least five months and that the same state agency that the governor directed to implement the executive order actually drafted the order. And they show that, as Davidson's experience illustrates, the governor's office had simply failed to predict the firestorm.

And this:

When preparing to announce the executive order, Perry's staffers apparently worried about coming across as too Merck-friendly.

On the day before the executive order was issued, in response to a draft of the news release, the governor's assistant director of budget, planning and policy wrote: "(T)hat first line sounds almost like a Merck commercial."

And this:

But documents show that state health officials were the ones writing a draft of the executive order that directs their own agency to write the rules.

On Jan. 18, Dr. Charles Bell of the commission wrote an e-mail to a gubernatorial adviser:

"(A)ttached is the draft Executive Order that was requested by the Governor's Office staff. Neither my staff nor I have ever drafted such a document so we just patterned it off the ones that we found on the Governor's website. I hope the draft is satisfactory to edit and create the official document."

States Begin Rethinking HPV Vaccination Mandates

2007-02-22T20:01:00.000-06:00

From ABC News in Philadelphia, this article explaining that many states are now beginning to rethink their plans to require the HPV vaccination. Read the full article here.

Noteworthy content:

Earlier this week, Merck, the maker of the vaccine that prevents HPV infections, decided to suspend its lobbying campaign to encourage state to require the vaccine.
And a few weeks ago, nearly 20 states were ready to require that young girls get it.
Now, several states are backing out of plans to require the shots.

and this, indicating trouble for HPV mandate efforts in Connecticut and Minnesota:

At a hearing before a legislative committee on Wednesday, the head of the Infectious Disease division of the Connecticut Department of Public Health said there's not enough data in yet on the vaccine.
A proposed law to vaccinate all preteen girls in Minnesota has also encountered trouble.

And this regarding the trouble in Texas:

In Texas - the first state to mandate the vaccine - a legislative committee voted to override Governor Rick Perry's order requiring the vaccine.
There is also a potential political scandal brewing.
Governor Perry's chief of staff held a meeting about the vaccine the same day that its maker, Merck, donated five-thousand dollars to his re-election campaign.

A Historical Perspective: How We Got Here

2007-02-22T16:26:00.000-06:00

A perspective article from my wife, Desiree Watts, who has been following the questions involved in mandating vaccines for quite the past twenty years or so. As an Air Force dependent in the early 1960's, she was required to get 17 shots in a two-month period before she was a year old (uncommon for the time) as a prerequisite for going overseas. She believes the health issues she faced growing up, which seemed so rare at the time, are commonly seen everywhere today in a society in which an ever-increasing number of vaccines are given on a regular basis.

A Little History:

Some may have forgotten and most are unaware that 20 years ago, a decision was made at the national level to set up a system (VAERS) whereby children injured by vaccines could file claims (now a typical bureaucracy that rarely pays out after years of red tape). At the same time, pharmaceutical companies were granted immunity from lawsuits if their vaccines were mandated by the government. Immediately, seminars popped up across the U.S. dedicated to the discussion of how to take advantage of the opportunity. A list of over 50 vaccines was proposed with ideas on how to get them to market and quickly mandated by the government. The only question was how 50 vaccines could be given when there are only so many weeks in a year. The vaccine "cocktail" was proposed allowing for several vaccines to be included in one shot.

Fast forward 20 years. Today, many more vaccines have been added to the marketplace (see this link) and one after another is being mandated. The 4-in-1 vaccine is available now and the 6-in-1 vaccine is already being used outside the U.S. In addition, pharmaceutical companies have mastered the art of quickly getting vaccines mandated with assistance from the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) . It only took Merck 21 days after FDA approval of Gardasil to get the ACIP to recommend that girls and women 11 to 26 years old be vaccinated with Gardasil and for it to be added to the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program (see link). States depend heavily on the ACIP in making their own determinations about mandating vaccines, so a recommendation from the ACIP clears the way for a vaccine being mandated. In the case of Gardasil, legislation was introduced in more than 13 states in less than 6 months. And even when vaccines recommended by the ACIP aren't mandated by the states, patients typically follow the advise of doctors who are under pressure to use the ACIP recommended vaccination schedule here.

A quick scan of the historical timeline available on the National Vaccine Information Center website , shows sporadic activity on the vaccine front until the Vaccine Injury Compensation Act was passed in 1986. From that time forward, the introduction of new vaccines has occurred with great speed. Don't expect that to slow down. And now, as many have pointed out, the new vaccines are starting to cross lines that do not affect the community as a whole, and, in addition, cross gender lines and encroach on personal choice, lifestyle and parental authority.

Anyone paying attention 20 years ago could see this coming. We have become nothing more than the proverbial frog slowly burning in the kettle of water, and propaganda and fearmongering are the kindling under the kettle. Those who spearhead the propaganda and instill fear in the hearts of those who comply with every recommendation or mandate that comes down the pike are causing many to unknowingly stew in the ever increasing temperature of that kettle of water. It is time that we not only stand up against such intrusions into our lives, but also teach our own children to critically analyze every bit of information that comes their way and make informed decisions while demanding the same of our representatives.

Houston Chronicle: Stinging Rebuke for Perry

2007-02-22T16:17:00.000-06:00

The Houston Chronicle reports yesterday's passage of HB 1098 out of the Public Health Committee of the Texas House - to be a "stinging rebuke" of Gov. Perry. Read the full article here.

Noteworthy content:

A House committee handed a stinging rebuke to Gov. Rick Perry by voting to rescind his executive order requiring pre-teen girls to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.

And this:

Passage is all but guaranteed since 90 of the 150 House members have signed on as co-sponsors, said the author of House Bill 1098, Rep. Dennis Bonnen.

and finally this:

Although many Democrats have supported Perry's order, some are now saying it would be better for him to recall it.

Gov. Perry Angrily Defends His Order

2007-02-22T16:13:00.000-06:00

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that Gov. Perry has angrily defended his decision to mandate the HPV vaccine. Read the article here.

Noteworthy content:

Gov. Rick Perry today angrily defended his embattled order to vaccinate all Texas school girls against the virus that causes cervical cancer, saying it would have been irresponsible to ignore Merck & Co.'s ideas for requiring the shots statewide.

And this - as questions arise about the timing of Merck's contributions to Perry, and when Perry made the decision to mandate the HPV vaccine:

Pressed on when he decided to issue the executive order requiring the vaccination, Perry snapped: "I wish you all would quit splitting hairs, frankly, and get focused on are we going to be working together to find the cure for cancers. No, I can't tell you when."

Many lawmakers remain very uncomfortable:

Some Republican lawmakers said today they were uncomfortable with the timing.

"It might be a good idea to carefully review those contributions before you start trying to enact different legislation or create executive orders," said state Rep. Linda Harper Brown, R-Irving. "It's really a question of integrity ... whether or not his decisions were based on the contribution."

State Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Rockwall, said Perry's staff failed him.

"Whoever's setting up that meeting, they ought to be chewed out, you know, for not looking at everything and saying, 'Now wait a minute, could this cause any questions down the road?"

MSNBC: Questions Abound About Timing of Merck Contributions

2007-02-22T16:09:00.000-06:00

MSBNC.com covers the AP story which broke today, revealing that Gov. Rick Perry's Chief of Staff met with Merck and discussed the HPV vaccine on the same day that Merck donated $5,000 to Perry's campaign for reelection.

Full story here.

Noteworthy content:

A calendar for chief of staff Deirdre Delisi obtained under Texas' open records laws shows she met with the governor's budget director and three members of his office for an "HPV Vaccine for Children Briefing" on Oct. 16. That same day, Merck & Co.'s political action committee donated $5,000 to Perry and a total of $5,000 to eight state lawmakers.

And this:

According to Delisi's calendar, she met with Toomey three times in the six months before the order was issued. One meeting happened in August, on the same day two other Perry staffers met with a different Merck lobbyist for a "Merck HPV Vaccine update." The other meetings came just after the November election and just before the legislative session began in January.

Connecticut Health Officials - Concerned About HPV Mandate

2007-02-22T16:03:00.000-06:00

Health officials in Connecticut are concerned about the idea of a state-mandated HPV vaccination program. Connecticut joins the growing list of states that have expressed concerns about the Texas Governor Rick Perry-style HPV mandate.

Read the full article here.

Noteworthy content:

State health officials are expressing concern about proposed legislation that would require most girls in Connecticut's public schools to be vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer.

And this:

At a hearing before a legislative committee on Wednesday, the head of the Department of Public Health's infectious disease division recommended that lawmakers delay requiring the vaccinations because of limited data on the vaccine.
"Some vaccines have been shown to have unanticipated side effects when they go into wide use during the first year," James Hadler told the Public Health Committee.

Another Merck Vaccine Runs Into Trouble

2007-02-22T10:59:00.000-06:00

Another Merck vaccine, this time a new vaccine for the Rotavirus. The first attempt was called RotaShield and was withdrawn from the market because it caused intussusception, a condition where part of the intestines get blocked or twisted.

Merck has come out with a new vaccine for Rotavirus called RotaTeq.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has released this public health notification on Merck's RotaTeq and Intussusception. Read the full text here.

Noteworthy content:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is notifying health care providers and consumers about 28 post-marketing reports of intussusception following administration of Rotavirus, Live, Oral, Pentavalent vaccine (trade name RotaTeq), manufactured by Merck and Co., Inc. Intussusception is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the intestine gets blocked or twisted. One portion of the intestine telescopes into a nearby portion, causing the intestinal obstruction. The most common site is where the small intestine joins the large intestine.

But the FDA leaves the situation a little "merck-y" by citing unpublished CDC data which claims this is consistent with the normal number of intussusception cases in unvaccinated children:

The number of intussusception cases reported to date after RotaTeq administration does not exceed the number expected based on background rates of 18-43 per 100,000 per year for an unvaccinated population of children ages 6 to 35 weeks (CDC, unpublished data).

But nonetheless, the FDA is making an appeal to Doctors to be sure to report all cases of intussusception following vaccination with Merck's RotaTeq vaccine:

FDA is issuing this notification both to encourage the reporting of any additional cases of intussusception that may have occurred or occur in the future after administration of RotaTeq, and to remind people that intussusception is a potential complication of RotaTeq,.

Vaccine Safety Releases Gardasil Reaction Report

2007-02-22T10:46:00.000-06:00

The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) has released a new analysis of the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) data on Gardasil reactions. NVIC's website is here.

Read the full text (minus footnotes) of their press-release at this link.

The whole press release is noteworthy, but here's a few sections you need to read:

The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) today released a new analysis of the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) reports of serious health problems following HPV vaccination (Merck's GARDASIL) during the last six months of 2006. Out of the 385 individual GARDASIL adverse event reports made to VAERS, two-thirds required additional medical care and about one-third of all reports were for children 16-years-old and under, with nearly 25 percent of those children having received simultaneously one or more of the 18 vaccines that Merck did not study in combination with GARDASIL.

and:

In a May 18, 2006 Background Document for the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRPBAC), the FDA staff stated that Merck clinical trial data indicated there may be "the potential for GARDASIL to enhance cervical disease in subjects who had evidence of persistent infection with vaccine-relevant HPV types prior to vaccination." [2] Girls and women now being vaccinated with GARDASIL are not routinely being tested for active HPV infection before vaccination.

Texas Govenor's Staff Met With Merck - Discusses Vaccine on Day Merck Gave $6000

2007-02-22T10:38:00.000-06:00

Further troubling revelations from the is AP story, published in the International Herald Tribune. On the very day that Gov. Perry's staff accepted a $6000 donation from Merck, they also discussed with Merck their Gardasil vaccine.

Read the full article here.

Noteworthy content:

A calendar for chief of staff Deirdre Delisi obtained under Texas' open records laws shows she met with Governor Rick Perry's budget director and three members of his office for an "HPV Vaccine for Children Briefing" on Oct. 16.

That same day, Merck & Co.'s political action committee donated $5,000 (€3,800) to Perry and a total of $5,000 (€3,800) to eight state lawmakers. Perry was re-elected last year.

Of course, Perry's administration claims the whole exchange of $6000 and discussion about Gardasil is pure coincidence:

Perry spokesman Robert Black said the timing of the meeting and the donation was a coincidence. "There was no discussion of any kind of mandates," Black said.
Late Wednesday, Black issued a statement: "The Associated Press has tried to create a conspiracy where none exists, and they have offered not one shred of evidence to their baseless accusations that the governor's office has done anything wrong."

But others are not swallowing the denials:

Cathie Adams, president of the conservative Texas Eagle Forum, said Black's explanation of the timing of the campaign contribution didn't sound right.

"We have too many coincidences," she said. "I think that the voters of Texas would find that very hard to swallow."

HB 1098 Passes Public Health Committee!

2007-02-21T20:58:00.000-06:00

Read details here.

Noteworthy content:

The House Committee on Public Health this afternoon approved a bill that would override Gov. Rick Perry's executive order mandating that sixth-grade girls be vaccinated against the cervical-cancer-causing human papillomavirus.

The vote was 6-3.

Supporting the measure were Committee Chairwoman Dianne White Delisi, R-Temple, and Reps. Vicki Truitt, R-Keller, Jodie Laubenberg, R-Parker, Jim Jackson, R-Carrollton, Dora Olivo, D-Rosenberg, and Susan King, R-Abilene.

Voting no were three Democrats: Reps. Ellen Cohen of Bellaire, Garnet Coleman of Houston and Veronica Gonzales of McAllen.

And this:

The author of the bill, state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, said he is pleased the bill moved forward because "we do not know the long-term effectiveness and impact" of the HPV vaccine, which the FDA approved in June.

Perry's Response Analyzed

2007-02-21T10:37:00.000-06:00

In this article, Perry responds to efforts to overturn his executive order.

Consider this comment:

"For the life of me when the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the other experts come forward and say this is safe, it's been tested and it's available, why in the world would we not make it available," Perry said Tuesday.

But while Governor Perry casts this conflict as a question of whether or not we should "make it available" (speaking of the HPV vaccine), that is not the real issue before.

Perry's executive order action did not make the vaccine available. Perry's executive order mandated the vaccine and bypassed a sitting legislature which already had bills considering such mandates on the docket.

So the issue, Gov. Perry, is not whether we should make it available. It was already available. The problem is that you bypassed the legislature and made it mandatory.

We won't comment again on the great number of reasonable concerns expressed about the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine.

Texas Court Limits Gov. Perry's Authority

2007-02-21T10:32:00.000-06:00

In a decision that is certain to have ramifications in the debate over Perry's HPV vaccine mandate, a state district judge has blocked Gov. Perry's 2005 Executive Order fastracking the approval process for permitting coal-fired electrical generation plants.

The decision does not have direct impact on the debate over Perry's HPV vaccination mandate, but it is likely to be seen as having some application to Perry's use of the executive order to mandate what an agency is to do (e.g. Require HPV vaccination prior to entering 6th grade).

Read the full article here.

Noteworthy content:

A state district judge dealt a blow to Gov. Rick Perry's official powers Tuesday by blocking the governor's 2005 executive order creating a fast-track permitting process for coal-fired, electricity-generating plants.
State District Judge Stephen Yelenosky ruled Perry probably lacks the authority to tell a state agency when to hold a hearing and how long it should last before a ruling is issued.

and this:

Yelenosky's temporary injunction said the four environmental groups that sued Perry "are likely to prevail on their argument that the governor lacks the authority" to issue an executive order mandating actions by state agencies.

Merck Claims to Suspend Lobbying Effort For Gardasil Mandates

2007-02-21T01:32:00.000-06:00

Merck is claiming today to have suspended its lobbying efforts of state Legislatures in an effort to have their Gardasil vaccine for HPV mandated. Read the full article at CBSNews.com

Noteworthy content:

Merck & Co., bowing to pressure from parents and medical groups, is immediately suspending its lobbying campaign to persuade state legislatures to mandate that adolescent girls get the company's new vaccine against cervical cancer as a requirement for school attendance.

and

Last month, the AP reported that Merck was channeling money for its state-mandate campaign through Women in Government, an advocacy group made up of female state legislators across the country.

and this:

Merck shares were down in after-hours trading on the New York Stock Exchange, falling 35 cents to $44.15 after rising 22 cents in regular trading to close at $44.50.

Watch Yesterday's Testimony

2007-02-20T12:50:00.000-06:00

For those who were not able to make it to Austin to testify yesterday, you can watch the video of the committee session here. You'll need the RealPlayer software.

Testimony Update on HB 1098

2007-02-20T09:18:00.000-06:00

Some key points from yesterday's testimony in Austin for HB 1098, the bill that seeks to overturn Perry's mandate:

Testimony from the public lasted some six hours, continuing past 12:30 am Tuesday morning.
The committee on Public Health adjourned without taking action.
The committee is set to meet again on Wednesday and may take a vote at that time.
The bill, HB 1098, now has 90 co-sponsors. This is almost the 100 votes needed to make the measure veto-proof.

Read media coverage here and here.

Hearings today on Texas HB 1098 To Block Perry's Mandate

2007-02-19T11:22:00.000-06:00

As posted earlier, there are hearings today in Austin for HB 1098. Those hearings are set to begin "upon adjournment" of the House. That will probably take place sometime after 2 pm. See our earlier post for more details and maps.

The Perverse Politics of Gardasil - Star Parker

2007-02-19T11:08:00.000-06:00

From Townhall.com, columnist Star Parker writes this helpful article on the politics behind Gardasil.

Noteworthy content:

A vaccine that prevents cervical cancer sounds great. But this is a free country. Remember? Unless there is a compelling reason to use government to mandate, Soviet-style, use of a particular product, then medicines, like all products, should be sold on the free market. Consumers can buy them if they want them.

and this:

Of course, by bringing in the strong arm of government, and forcing mandatory vaccination, a whole population of girls gets dragged into the picture whose families would never choose to use the vaccine nor could they afford it. That is, those from poor and minority homes.
Merck has to love this picture. They don't just get guaranteed purchases from those whose insurance companies will foot the bill. But they'll also get state and federal governments to pay for the low income kids who, if left alone, would never be their customers.

and finally:

This is the most expensive vaccine in history (nine times more expensive than a measles vaccination), the incidence of deaths from cervical cancer are miniscule (.65 percent of the annual deaths from cancer in the U.S.), and the vaccine is only eight months on the market with many legitimate concerns, such as side effects and long-term risks and costs, yet to be clarified.
Organizations such as the Texas Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons and the American Academy of Environmental Medicine oppose mandated use of this vaccine.

Humor: Fictitous Drug Site

2007-02-17T17:36:00.000-06:00

Tired of all the glitzy commercials for the latest new drug - like those for Gardasil - Merck's HPV vaccine? See their website here.

Take a moment to enjoy the humor of this parody of these drug commercials and websites. Check out the website for "Havidol" - a completely fictitous drug site - where the intention is obviously to parody all those other drugs.

Wonder how many people will actually ask their doctor for "Havidol"? Notice, the "drug" claims to be for the "dysphoric social attention consumption deficit anxiety disorder." In other words, its for people who have anxiety problems because they want more things. So, the "drug's" name is "Havidol" as in "have it all."

Funniest thing I've seen in quite a while.

Very Useful HPV Info - From Medical Accountability Network

2007-02-17T14:42:00.000-06:00

Readers may notice some helpful comments from "drdolan" to our recent costs analysis example using data for the State of Alabama. Read our earlier post here.

"drdolan" is Dr. Terese Dolan M.D. with the Medical Accountability Network.

Of interest to readers here is their excellent information regarding the HPV vaccine. Visit their site for all sorts of interesting perspectives and analysis.

I thought the following analysis was worth repeating - and in keeping with the analysis I've conducted with respect to Alabama statistics:

U.S. statistics show there are 30 to 40 cervical cancer cases per year per one million women age 9-26, the ages the vaccine was tested on. Gardasil®'s reduction of pre-cancers by 12.2% in the general population would mean that instead of 30 to 40 cases of cancer, there would only be 26 - 35 cancers. So it would take vaccination of a million girls to prevent cancer in 4 to 5 girls. About 37% die from cervical cancer, so that would prevent 1 to 2 deaths. So $360 million in vaccine would prevent 1 to 2 deaths.

However this is all conjecture. In the Merck studies the follow up was too short and the numbers too few to prove prevention of cervical cancer.

NY Times: Mandate Pushes Too Far Too Fast

2007-02-17T14:35:00.000-06:00

From the normally left-leaning New York Times, comes this article printed in the Austin American-Statesman, reporting that many experts believe the kind of push we've seen in Texas for an HPV vaccination mandate is push "too far too fast."

Noteworthy content:

Racing to embrace a new vaccine, at least 20 states are considering mandatory inoculation of young girls against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.

But a roaring backlash has some health experts worried that the proponents, including the vaccine's maker, Merck & Co. Inc., have pushed too far too fast, potentially undermining eventual prospects for the broadest possible immunization.

And this comparison to the roll out of other vaccines:

The rush for mandatory inoculation — most of the state proposals have been introduced since the beginning of the year — is unusual. It was only in June that federal regulators approved the vaccine, called Gardasil.

Typically, new vaccines, like the one for chickenpox in the mid-1990s, have been rolled out gradually, with health officials endorsing mandatory use only after several years of experience have shown the new products to be generally safe and effective.

and finally this:

Dr. Carol Baker, a professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said that two other vaccines for adolescents that were approved in recent years, against meningitis and whooping cough, have not yet been mandated in Texas.

"To mandate just one, in my view, is a little odd," she said.

US Rep. Proposes Federal Ban on Federal Funds for HPV mandates

2007-02-17T14:22:00.000-06:00

Under a proposal by US Representative Phil Gingrey R-Ga, an OB/GYN physician, states would be banned from using federal money to implement mandatory state HPV vaccination programs.

Read the full article here.

Noteworthy content:

But now U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., a medical doctor, announced he has introduced the Parental Right to Decide Protection Act, a plan that "prohibits federal funds from being used to implement mandatory state human-papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs."
"As an OB-GYN physician, I understand the importance of protecting Americans from sexually transmitted diseases, and I applaud the development of an HPV vaccine," Gingrey said. "But for states to mandate vaccination for young women is both unprecedented and unacceptable.
"States should require vaccinations for communicable diseases, like measles and the mumps. But you can't catch HPV if an infected schoolmate coughs on you or shares your juice box at lunch. Whether or not girls get vaccinated against HPV is a decision for parents and physicians, not state governments," he said.

Alabama State Health Office & I Interviewed on AL.COM

2007-02-16T15:35:00.000-06:00

Earlier today, I, along with Dr. Don Williamson, Alabama's State Health Officer, was interviewed for a podcast for AL.COM, a website that tracks all news stories in Alabama.

My comments were mainly on the policy questions of this debate. You never get to say all that you might like say, but I thought the interview was fair.

Listen to the audio here.

A Case Study in Costs - Example: Alabama

2007-02-15T12:49:00.000-06:00

I've been thinking recently about Alabama's response to the HPV vaccine. I was born in Mobile, AL so I have at least a bit of vested interest in their response.

Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson's approach with respect to the HPV vaccine is far better than that of Texas Gov. Rick Perry. As reported on this blog earlier, Dr. Williamson will be asking for $4 million to make Gardasil voluntarily available to young women who do not have access to it through some other means.

This approach is certainly much wiser than the approach taken by Gov. Rick Perry of Texas.

But while I appreciate Alabama's approach, I've been wondering about the math.

What math you ask?

Please walk through this with me:

The CDC reports that Cervical Cancer kills 3952 women a year in the US (2002 statistics - link).
The US population is about 296,410,404 at last estimate.
The Alabama population is about 4,447,100 at last estimate.
If Alabama's death rate from cervical cancer is in keeping with the overall US statistics, Alabama sees about 59 women die per year from cervical cancer.
This is a death rate each year from cervical cancer of about .00266% of the total female population.
At the current published price of $360 for the three-shot series, Alabama's $4 million will buy about 11,111 full vaccinations for young women in 2007, assuming every dollar of the $4 million goes strictly to vaccines.
Let's assume Gardasil provides life time protection and that it protects against all forms of the virus that cause cervical cancer (at best it only protects against 70% of the viruses that cause cervical cancer). Both of these assumptions are way overly optimistic. But, let's give Gardasil the benefit of the doubt.
If we use these assumptions, then of the 11,111 who received the full vaccination .00266% will not die each year from cervical cancer. How many women of the original 11,111 is this? Glad you asked. The answer is, of the 11,111 women vaccinated, .29 women will not die in the next year.
Suppose in 2008 AL vaccinates another 11,111 women. Another .29 of the original 2007 "class" won't die from cervical cancer, and neither will .29 of the 2008 "class."
Suppose in 2009 AL vaccinates another 11,111 women. The vaccination for the 2007 "class" has now saved a grand total of .87 woman's life. (3 years of protection, at a death rate of .29 women per year for the 11,111 women class). The 2008 class has had 2 years of protection and thus has saved a grand total of .58 of a woman's life. And the 2009 class has had just 1 year of protection saving .29 of a woman's life.
Thus, in three years of this program, Alabama can expect to spend $12 million and save .87 + .58 + .29 women's lives for a grand total of 1.74 women's lives.
Let's be charitable and round it up to saving 2 women's lives. Be even more charitable and double the numbers. The question people need to wrestle with is this: Is $12 million to save 2 lives or 4 lives or 8 lives - is this the best possible public health expenditure?
(Dr. Williamson, Alabama's Health Officer mentioned today on our interview on AL.COM that Cervical Cancer claims 75, not 59, women in Alabama each year. My charitable estimates should cover this increased number.)
Remember our assumptions: full immunity for life and thus no costs for booster vaccinations (not at all proven - the Merck testing only went out for four years). Plus, the greatest assumption of all, that Gardasil will protect against 100% of the viruses that cause cervical cancer. This is most clearly not true - Merck only claims protection against the two virus strains that cause 70% of cervical cancers... but we'll grant it anyway for the sake of argument.
(Actual Merck documentation shows that actual HPV infections only went down 12%, in one study, or 32% in another study. Remember, we're assuming HPV infections will go down 100%)
Also factor in the assumption that there are no negative health affects for the 33,000+ young women vaccinated in our illustration. This also is unlikely to be true, but for the sake of illustration we'll grant the assumption.
So - where are we? $12 million spent. 33,333 women vaccinated. The lives of 2 women saved, or if we're really charitable - maybe 4 lives saved.

Here's the question that must, in all fairness, be asked. Is this the best way for the people of Alabama to spend $12 million?

Consider another approach:

Coronary Heart disease killed 452,300 people in the US in 2004 (link).
Of that number, 51% were women.
Alabama's share of the overall US population is 1.5%
If Alabama has a similar death rate from coronary heart disease as does the overall country, then Alabama has about 6785 coronary heart disease deaths per year.
Let's multiply 6785 by .51 to find the number of Alabama women that die from coronary heart disease every year. The answer: 3461 women die in Alabama each year from coronary heart disease.
So, let's make a simple comparison: 3461 Alabama women die from coronary heart disease every year. 59 (or perhaps 75 per Dr. Don Williamson) Alabama women die from cervical cancer every year.
What if the $4 million each year were spent on community-based cardiovascular screening clinics? Or what if it were spent on education that especially targets women and coronary heart disease? What if such efforts would reduce the number of deaths by just 1% a year?
Would this be a better expenditure for Alabama?
Just a reduction in the coronary heart disease death rate of 1% would save 34 women per year.
If such an effort began in 2007, 34 women would be saved. In 2008 the number of women would jump to 102 women saved. In 2009 the numbers would jump to: 204 women saved.
In contrast, the $4m spent for Gardasil vaccinations over the same three year period would save 2 lives, or if we are being very generous - perhaps 4.

My point is this:

Even with unreasonably optimistic assumptions for Gardasil vaccination, the same $12 million could possibly be more than 100 times as effective (in terms of saving the lives of women) in Alabama if spent on something that kills more women, like cardiovascular disease.
There is no denying that 59 deaths (or 75) deaths a year is too many and each is tragic. But, with many other diseases claiming so many more lives - is there not a more effective way to spend scarce resources?
This is the kinds of analysis Alabama officials and lawmakers in other states must struggle with.

Comments and opinions - and even corrections are always welcome.

Perry's Growing Public Relations Problems

2007-02-15T11:31:00.000-06:00

This editorial from the San Antonio Express News, describing the public relations problem the Governor is finding himself in:

First, Perry mandated the controversial vaccine Gardasil, which is aimed at curbing cervical cancer, for young girls.

That's a worthy goal, but amid an uproar about the governor's unorthodox use of executive power, it turned out Perry's former chief of staff, Mike Toomey, is a high-placed lobbyist for Merck, the company that manufactures the drug.

Now we find out that Perry's 23-year-old son, Griffin, starts work today at UBS, one of the investment firms the governor is consulting on a proposed multibillion-dollar lottery sale. If the sale goes through and UBS is involved, the firm could take in millions in consulting fees.

Gubernatorial spokesman Robert Black said the employment of Perry's son has nothing to do with the governor's proposal.

"Trying to connect them is a myth," Black said.

finally:

At the very least, Perry has demonstrated a remarkable lack of political acumen in both instances. Enter Conflicts of Interest 101.

For instance, in issuing the vaccine order, Perry should have acknowledged early on that Toomey is a lobbyist for Merck.

Texas Mandate Not Compelling - Chicago Tribune

2007-02-15T11:20:00.000-06:00

This Chicago Tribune editorial by Steve Chapman argues that Gov. Perry's HPV mandate is "not compelling."

I disagree with his notion that most people will voluntarily want this vaccine for their daughters (The CDC says most HPV infections go away on their own, the small percentage that remain can turn into precancerous lesions over a long period of time in a few women, and a few of those - if the pre-cancerous lesions are neglected for many years can get cervical cancer. Cervical cancer has been on the decline for 40 years because of better detection.)

But, regarding mandates for this vaccine, Mr. Chapman hits the nail on the head:

Even medical experts are wary of forcing it on the unwilling. The Texas Medical Association, which says many of its members are already administering the vaccine, does not favor requiring it. The American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommends the vaccine, has also declined to endorse the mandate.

and this:

"We don't know if it will be necessary," says Joseph Bocchini, a Louisiana pediatrician who heads the AAP's committee on infectious diseases. Given sufficient information about this new protection, he believes, "most people would want it for their daughters." But making it a requirement for school admission would risk a backlash against the vaccine before it has even gotten a foothold. It might also prod more parents to reject other immunizations.

Details: Public Hearing on HB1098 - Monday - 2/19/2007

2007-02-14T14:20:00.000-06:00

Here are some details regarding the public hearing on 2/19/2007 for HB 1098.

At present the Public Health Committee is set to convene the public hearing "upon adjournment" of the day's House session.
At the moment, all we can say is - sometime after 2pm on Monday.
This is a public hearing and the public is invited to testify.
To do so, you'll need to complete a Witness Affirmation Form. You can get this onsite when you arrive.
The room for the hearing is E2.036. This room is in the Capitol Extension - 2nd Floor.
You can find the room on this map.
You may find this map of the Capitol Complex helpful. This map also notes an area of public visitor parking bounded between 12th and 13th streets, and San Jacinto and Trinity streets.

Texas House Hearing Set for Monday!

2007-02-14T14:15:00.000-06:00

News Flash:

The San Antonio Express News is reporting that the Texas House has scheduled a public hearing for this coming Monday (February 19, 2007) for HB 1098. Recall our earlier post about HB 1098 - this bill was authored and co-authored by more than 60 Representatives.

Read the article here.

Make plans to be in Austin for this hearing. A large turn out of families will send a strong message to the Legislature.

More details will be posted as to time & exact location.

Noteworthy content:

The House Public Health Committee posted notice Tuesday that it will hold a public hearing on a bill that would pre-empt Perry's order and prevent the human papillomavirus vaccine from being required for admission to any elementary or secondary school.

And this:

"The governor has accomplished his goal of bringing attention to this issue," said Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, author of the bill. "All citizens of Texas will have an opportunity to come to Austin to give an opinion."

TX Rep. Zerwas Speaks Against HPV Vaccine Mandate

2007-02-14T13:39:00.000-06:00

Texas' only practicing physician in the Legislature, Representative Zerwas, speaks out against Perry's attempt to mandate vaccination of young girls for a sexually transmitted disease. From this East Texas Review article, in the representative's own words:

“However, Governor Perry’s mandating the vaccination of 11- year-old girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually-transmitted disease, to me represents a radical and unwise shift away from the state’s current policies for vaccinating children. To start, though HPV does present some serious health risks for women if left untreated, it does not present the same level of public health hazard as do the measles, mumps, rubella, and whooping cough.

“There is a reason why vaccines for these other illnesses are mandated: they are contagious diseases that can be transmitted by virtue of an infected child walking in a classroom and breathing. As in real estate, location matters here because the HPV cannot be transmitted without sexual activity - and, therefore, does not constitute a public health threat to Texas’ schoolchildren while in the classroom.

“It follows, then, that I cannot support extending the mandated childhood immunization program as preferred by the Governor.”

The Reasons Behind the Perry Blow-Up

2007-02-14T13:33:00.000-06:00

An excellent article in the East Texas Review analyzing the reasons for the Gov. Perry blow-up after his mandate of the HPV vaccine for young girls.

Highlights:

In short, Perry has used up a lot of political capital here, generating legislative ill will sure to affect the support (or lack thereof) that his initiatives receive this session.

And this:

The reaction from the medical community is even more surprising. The Texas Medical Association might be the most pro-immunization group on the planet. Yet the group declined to endorse Perry’s order. “The Texas Medical Association (TMA) strongly supports the ability of physicians to provide the HPV vaccine,” said TMA President-elect William Hinchey, MD. “Many physicians currently administer this vaccine to their female patients. At this point, we do not support the state mandate.”

And this:

In short, opposition to mandating the vaccine is not confined to hard-line social conservatives.

HPV Vaccine. Safe as Tylenol? Are You Sure?

2007-02-14T12:45:00.000-06:00

From the LoneStarTimes.com - comes this interesting post (a must read!) which highlights the hypocrisy of those that want to force little girls to be vaccinated against a disease that is only spread by sexual contact.

Atlanta Journal Constitution: Don't Mandate HPV Vaccine

2007-02-14T11:50:00.000-06:00

This editorial in the Atlanta Journal Constitution written by former congressman Bob Barr argues against mandating the HPV vaccination.

Noteworthy Content:

The risk of bad government regulation becomes especially acute when private industry's drive for profit teams with government's drive to control, to create a "perfect storm" of government control. This is happening in Texas, where that state's Republican governor, Rick Perry, is attempting by executive order to force preteen girls attending Texas schools to be vaccinated against cervical cancer and genital warts.

Speaking about Merck's efforts and their use of Women in Government and Perry's connections to all of this:

Merck & Co., the pharmaceutical giant that manufactures Gardasil, is not simply standing by to answer questions from concerned legislators and health officials. The company is pulling out all stops in an effort to secure legislation mandating vaccination with its product. Campaign contributions are flowing freely in Texas and elsewhere. A so-called advocacy group for women legislators, Women in Government, reportedly is serving as one such conduit and has close ties to the Perry administration. Perry's former chief of staff is a top lobbyist for Merck. Television ads promoting Gardasil by showing young girls jumping rope are buttressing Merck's more direct efforts.

and this:

Is it the job of government to take a newly approved vaccine — one with very little long-term general usage under its belt — designed to prevent a disease that is transmitted not by casual or unavoidable contact, but rather by the most intimate and knowing of acts? Many physicians and parents think not, and have already begun organizing, especially in Texas, to combat the headlong rush to mandate Gardasil vaccination for young schoolgirls.

Women in Government - Adapting To Pressure?

2007-02-13T23:06:00.000-06:00

The Blog That Ate Manhattan has some new comments today about mandating the HPV vaccine and Merck’s questionable link to WIG. We pointed out previously here that WIG (Women in Government) had removed Merck from its "Business Council" members.

TBTAM points out today (February 13, 2007) in its post:

...the role of that council has been redefined on the web site from this:

"Members also play an integral role in planning for future growth, have the ability to attend our regional conferences, and support the financial stability of the organization."

to this:

"Business Council members support the overall mission of Women In Government.

Fascinating.

Fox News Big Story: Transcript of Vaccine Coverage

2007-02-13T15:33:00.000-06:00

From FoxNews.com - comes this transcript of a recent discussion on "The Big Story With John Gibson"

Noteworthy content:

DR. JANE ORIENT, AAPS DIRECTOR: Governor Perry's order is an outrageous violation of civil rights of girls and their parents, and it poses a medical treatment of unproved benefit and unknown safety on patients without their informed consent.

And this:

KELLY: Douglas, you have that map up there and a lot of states are being lobbied by Merck. But I would imagine the state leadership throughout the country, they're getting the message don't do this because Rick Perry's paying a pretty big price for this.

Musings of a Dinosaur - Follow Up Post

2007-02-13T12:39:00.000-06:00

This follow up post (A Gardasil Analogy: Killer Salmonella) from the Musings of a Dinosaur blog.

Noteworthy content:

Using an illustration of the danger of Salmonella, and its ability to kill, yet how easy it is to prevent death from Salmonella, (and the foolishness of advocating an expensive preventative when simple things will keep you from dying from Salmonella) the doctor says:

That's my argument against HPV vaccination. I'm not disputing that HPV -- left untreated for many years (10-12) -- can cause cervical cancer. I'm not disputing that Gardasil can reduce (but not eliminate) the chances of contracting high risk strains of HPV. But early stage HPV disease is eminently treatable, and completely avoidable via abstinence (of which I am an advocate in principle, although not a "Just Say No" fanatic.) Finally, it is virtually impossible to die of cervical cancer unless you never see a doctor.

And this about Texas Governor Rick Perry's decision to mandate the HPV vaccine:

Don't even get me started on a certain Governor who signed an executive order -- never mind bothering with the legislature to, yanno, pass a law -- mandating this vaccine for all 11 and 12 year old girls in his state. However much Merck spent to buy him, you know they stand to make it back big time.

Doctor's Argument Against Gardasil - from Aug. 2006

2007-02-13T12:34:00.000-06:00

From August, 2006 - this doctor weighed in on the new Gardasil vaccination. From his/her blog: Musings of a Dinosaur, this interesting post is worthwhile reading.

Noteworthy content:

The doctor asks - what's wrong with the new Gardasil vaccine? Answer:

Just this: The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006 there will only be 9,710 new cases of cervical cancer, and only 3,700 deaths. I am not disputing that these are horrible deaths, as are many other cancer deaths. But with a total female population of just over 147,000,000, that translates to only about one in 2,500,000 women dying of cervical cancer. At a cost of $360 dollars for the full 3-shot course of vaccine, that comes to about $900,000,000 to prevent one death. One. I'm sorry; no matter how horrible a death, it's not worth 9/10ths of a billion dollars to prevent just one.

And the doctor's comments on the effectiveness of a simple pap smear in preventing cervical cancer:

Thus we have a huge paradox: those who come for cervical cancer screening, even relatively sporadically, are not going to die of it. The vast majority of cervical cancer deaths are in women who have never had a pap. Not ever. Even one lifetime pap reduces the already very small chance of dying of cervical cancer from tiny to ridiculously miniscule. Those who die are those who do not get screened (for whatever reason, be it financial, cultural, socioeconomic, or other access issues.)

Uproar Over HPV Mandate Predicted in December

2007-02-13T12:28:00.000-06:00

From this New England Journal of Medicine article, the author (Dr. James Colgrove) accurately predicted the uproar if the HPV vaccine was to be mandated by state governments.

Noteworthy content (emphasis mine):

Ethical and epidemiologic analyses are essential to decisionsabout mandating the HPV vaccine; so are political calculations.Any new vaccine that a state adds to its list of requirementsmust be judged in the context of both the increasingly lengthyand complex regimen of vaccines that children now receive andthe possibility that additional mandates may inflame grassrootsopposition, be it religious, philosophical, or ideological. Although issues of religion and adolescent sexuality have dominatedthe discussion, the move to require HPV vaccination raises broadquestions about the acceptability of mandatory public healthmeasures, the scope of parental autonomy, and the role of politicaladvocacy in determining how preventive health measures are implemented.

Legislators: Governor Overstepped Authority

2007-02-13T11:36:00.000-06:00

From this article at the Seguin Gazette-Enterprise, two legislators speak against Governor Perry's Mandate as going too far and being without authority.

Noteworthy content:

State Rep. Edmund Kuempel, R-Seguin, and State Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, came out against Perry’s executive order that was issued on Feb. 2.

“I think he overstepped his authority,” said Wentworth, who represents Guadalupe County in the State Senate. “I do not think the governor has the power to simply sign an executive order to appropriate money [for the vaccine]. If he did, why are we [the legislature] bothering to be here?”

And this from Rep. Keumpel,

Kuempel said while he favors giving parents the option of letting their children take the HPV vaccine, he does not believe it should forced upon them.

“I don’t think we should be mandating things,” Kuempel said. “To mandate it right now, I am a little leery about it.”

And this:

“I just don’t know if we have our facts and figures [about the vaccine],” Kuempel said. “Sometimes the cure is worse than the cancer. It would be something I would have to study a whole lot more on.”

And Rep. Kuempel speaks with some authority, as he and his wife are both cancer survivors:

The issue of cancer certainly hits home for Kuempel since he and his wife, Birdie, are cancer survivors.

Rockford Register: Too Early to Mandate HPV Vaccine

2007-02-12T16:39:00.000-06:00

From the Rockford Register of Rockford, Illinois, this well-written editorial.

Noteworthy content:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12,085 women in the United States were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2002. The same year, 3,952 women died of the disease. The incidence of cervical cancer has gone down dramatically in the last four decades because of widespread use of the Pap test to detect problems.

In contrast, one of the most common cancers to attack women — breast cancer — claims 41,619 women’s lives a year and is responsible for 181,646 annual diagnoses.

And this:

Even ignoring the limited incidence of cervical cancer, we are troubled by the newness of the vaccine, the small sample of preteen girls studied and the disturbingly short guarantee of immunity.

The vaccine has been on the market for only eight months, not nearly enough time to discover the range of adverse effects before administering it to tens of thousands of girls in a statewide mandate.

More than 25,000 patients were part of a clinical trial of Gardasil, but only 1,184 of them were preteen girls. “That’s a thin base of testing upon which to make a vaccine mandatory,” Barbara Loe Fisher, co-founder of the National Vaccine Information Center, said in a Feb. 7 Wall Street Journal article. The center lobbies for safer vaccines.

And finally:

All of these questions should be considered against the backdrop of Merck’s financial position. The Wall Street Journal says mandatory vaccination would be an “automatic blockbuster” for the pharmaceutical company, at a time when its patents on other bestselling drugs are expiring.

Another Doctor Speaks Out Against Perry's Mandate

2007-02-12T16:35:00.000-06:00

From Amarillo.com, this editorial exchange. One doctor supports Perry. One rejects Perry's mandate.

Scroll down to see the editorial from Dr. Steven F. Hotze, president of the Conservative Republicans of Harris County and the Conservative Republicans of Texas.

Noteworthy content:

This action took place without a single word of public debate and appears to be a corporate welfare program for Merck, the creator of the vaccine, and will be paid for at the expense of Texas schoolgirls who will be the guinea pigs for this unproven treatment.

And this very insightful perspective:

The HPV vaccine has been coined Merck's "How to Pay for Vioxx." Merck manufactured Vioxx, an anti-arthritic drug, which was pulled from the market in 2004 because it had caused 125,000 heart attacks. In lawsuits, Merck was found to have withheld information about the cardiac dangers of Vioxx from the Food and Drug Administration, physicians and patients. In the first of many trials, the jury found Merck guilty of knowingly causing harm and awarded punitive damages amounting to $254 million. Merck lost billions in profits when its corrupt behavior was exposed.
Merck officials developed a plan to recoup their losses. They organized a strategy to have state governments mandate their HPV vaccine. They contributed to medical organizations and to a group called Women in Government to buy support for the mandatory vaccination program. They hired lobbyists to swarm state capitals across the nation, pushing this legislation.

And more damaging testimony from the Doctor:

According to the British medical journal, The Lancet, the vaccine is only effective for four and a half years. A booster injection will be needed every five years. You can count on Merck to lobby to have this booster shot mandated and paid for with tax dollars.
The HPV vaccine only protects against four of the 127 strains of HPV. Merck admits in its own literature that it did not prove the vaccine would prevent cancer.

More Texas Legislators Condemn Perry's Action

2007-02-12T16:32:00.000-06:00

From this article in The Monitor Newspaper in McAllen, TX:

"I think Gov. Perry overstepped his authority. He does not have the authority to expend millions of dollars," said state Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen.

and another Representative speaks out:

State Rep. Ismael "Kino" Flores, D-Mission, said the executive order was invasive. Rather than ordering families to have their daughters inoculated, the state should make the vaccine available and allow parents to decide whether they want to give their children the shot.

Press Coverage of "Hands Off Our Kids Coalition"

2007-02-12T16:23:00.000-06:00

From CBS11TV.com in Dallas-Ft. Worth, this coverage of the recent gathering in Dallas of the "Hands Off Our Kids Coalition."

And, associated with the story is a poll. The question is: "Should the cervical cancer vaccine be required for Texas schoolgirls?"

At present, 68% answered either "It should not be required" or "It's a parental decision."

Noteworthy content:

"Get a good look at this face. She is not Perry's guinea pig," Jenny Williams said about her daughter. She's angry over Governor Perry's mandate to vaccinate all young girls for the human papillomavirus, or HPV.

And this:

They say the mandate violates parental rights. They question the safety of the vaccine, and believe it's an unjustified tax payer burden. Furthermore, the group sees the mandate as an overreaching of executive power and claims it violates sunshine-in-government.

Redding.com - Mandate is Misguided Path

2007-02-12T16:10:00.000-06:00

From Redding.com (California) has this helpful article on why Perry's mandate is misguided. While I disagree with their idea that getting this vaccine is a "very good idea," I appreciate their perspective that this mandate is a mistake.

Noteworthy content:

Making the vaccine mandatory is far too intrusive. Matters of sexual health are intensely personal, and the decision to get the vaccine or not is no business of the Legislature. HPV is said to be the most common sexually transmitted disease, but it is not the sort of virus that one carrier can innocently spread throughout a community -- as smallpox, polio and measles once were.

Negative Reactions Continue to Perry's Mandate

2007-02-12T10:15:00.000-06:00

From the Texarakana Gazette yesterday, this article details the continued reactions to Gov. Perry's mandate to vaccinate young girls against a sexually-transmitted disease:

Noteworthy content:

While not opposed to the vaccine itself, state Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, is opposed to the executive order mandating the vaccine.
“I’m adamantly opposed to the governor’s executive order for several reasons. First of all, I do not think this is the proper use of an executive order ... which is for emergency items,” he said. “This is not an emergency and we are in session. If this is an issue, it should be fully debated with public hearings in the Legislature.”

and he continued:

“But I’m opposed to state government mandating this vaccine. I think it’s government interference at it’s best,” he said. “I’ve even heard doctors say this is a premature decision. They’re not even ready to provide the vaccine to patients yet.

And State Rep. Stephen Frost D-Atlanta, TX weighed in with this common sense perspective:

State Rep. Stephen Frost, D-Atlanta, is also voicing his opposition to the mandate, saying the choice is a personal, family matter.
“I think that’s a family decision. I really believe that’s a really slippery slope the government’s trying to go down,” he said.

Don't Be Vaccinated If...

2007-02-11T16:23:00.000-06:00

According to an advocacy group for vaccination (a pro-vaccine site), here's a reason not to vaccinate your daughter(s):

People with a history of immediate hypersensitivity to yeast or to any vaccine component should not receive the vaccine.

Hmmm....

What are the "vaccine component{s}" of Gardasil?

Here's a list of things I've gleaned from page 1 of the FDA's insert for Gardasil:

Virus like particles (VLP's) of the major capsid (L1) protein of HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.
These proteins are made by separate fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is "baker's or budding yeast" - according to this link.
The yeast cells grow on a media of vitamins, amino acids, mineral salts, and carbohydrates.
The VLP's are released from the yeast cells by cellular disruption.
They are then purified by "a series of chemical and physical methods." What chemicals? Don't ask me. The FDA doesn't say.
The "purified" VLP's are adsorbed on preformed aluminum-containing adjuvant.
"Adsorbed" means to be accumulated on a solid surface.
An "adjuvant" is similar to a catalyst. In this case, the aluminum-containing adjuvant plays a role in causing the VLP's to adsorb.
The adjuvant in this case is: amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate.
More of the aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate adjuvant is added to the VLP's along with the addition of a purification buffer, in order to form the vaccine.
A .5 ML dose contains: 20 mcg of HPV type 6 proteins, 20 mcg of HPV type 11 proteins, 40 mcg of HPV type 16 proteins, and 20 mcg of HPV type 18 proteins.
Plus, 225 mcg of the adjuvant (aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate).
Plus, 9.56 mg of sodium chloride (ordinary salt).
Plus, .78 mg of L-histidine (an amino acid)
Plus, 50 mcg of Polysorbate 80. According to this medical link, Polysorbate 80 is "of current relevance as a “hidden” inductor of anaphylactoid reactions."
Plus, 35 mcg of sodium borate. Sodium Borate is also known as "Borax." It is the main ingredient in boric acid. An entry on Wikipedia.org claims (and provides a footnote) that sodium borate is "toxic to all cells." Although the amount contained in this vaccine is far less than the estimate fatal dose of .1 to .5 grams per kg of body weight. Nevertheless, it is interesting that it apparently has some toxicity to all cells. (Note: Wikipedia.org entries are user-generated and you should verify them with other sources.)

Of special concern to many is the aluminum compound that is contained in the vaccine. This press release expresses well the concerns many have about the aluminum compound in this vaccine.

Just thought you might want to know.

Facts You Must Have!

2007-02-11T16:01:00.000-06:00

From our earlier posts about Gardasil:

While everybody who supports the Gardasil mandate breathlessly recites how wonderful it will be to wipe cervical cancer "off the face of the earth" - these exaggerated claims just don't hold up to scrutiny.

For example, Gardasil protects against 4 types out of about 100 types of the Human papillomavirus.
2 of the types that Gardasil protects against are not associated with cancer!
And, most cases of HPV go away on their own, without symptom or treatment (according to the FDA). For a few women, the infection will continue. Over many years, such an infection can lead to cervical cancer.

See full details at our previous post: Facts You Need About HPV

Also, we hear this a fair amount: "Gardasil prevents 100% of 70% of the virus that causes cancer."

So, wouldn't it stand to reason that if all women were vaccinated prior to infection with HPV - that we would see a 70% reduction in infection rates?

Not exactly.

Merck's test results showed in some cases only a 12% reduction of infection.

Read the details here at our previous post: Not Really a 70% Decrease in HPV Infections

Perry's Mandate: Gross Infringment of Parental Rights - West Virginia

2007-02-11T15:58:00.000-06:00

From West Virginia, where lawmakers are seeking to force little girls to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted disease - this press release from Children of God for Life:

Mandating Gardasil -- A Gross Infringement on Parental Rights

Contact: Children of God for Life, 877-488-LIFE, info@cogforlife.org

MURFREESBORO, Tenn., Feb. 9 /Standard Newswire/ -- Children of God for Life is urging West Virginia lawmakers to scrap HB 2835 mandating Merck's new Gardasil HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine.

Following last week' hotly debated Executive Order by Governor Perry to mandate Gardasil in Texas, West Virginia is the latest of at least two dozen states proposing to add the controversial vaccine as a requirement for school attendance. However, unlike Texas and 48 other states including DC, which have laws allowing parents to opt-out, WVA and Mississippi are the only two States that do not provide religious or philosophical exemptions for vaccines.

"It is utterly disgraceful that WVA would force this vaccine on families, especially when their State law provides no relief to those who object to other vaccines," stated Children of God for Life Executive Director, Debi Vinnedge. "Even if they include an opt-out for Gardasil, such a move would be unconstitutional for parents who have religious objections to other vaccines, such as those using aborted fetal cell lines."

While Gardasil does not utilize aborted fetal cell lines – a primary focus of Children of God for Life, the group noted it raises other moral concerns. And they are not alone. Since Perry's actions last week, numerous family and medical groups agree that this is a family decision for the parents – not the State.

In a statement released Jan 22, the American College of Pediatrics noted that mandating Gardasil for school attendance "is a serious, precedent-setting action" replacing parental medical decision making with government regulations.

Likewise, Focus on the Family warned last year, that state officials, not parents, would become the primary sexual-health decision makers for America's children.

Vinnedge noted, "Mandating Gardasil is like the State mandating condoms for children. And neither one is effective at preventing cervical cancer. The HPV virus's incubation period is 20 years, yet this vaccine was tested for only 4 years. No one knows whether this will prevent cervical cancer at all."

Last year the Associated Press reported the FDA warning that, "any advantage the vaccine provides in protecting against the four virus types could be offset by infection by any of the multiple [over 100] other types of HPV that the vaccine does not cover." The FDA further noted that "the vaccine may lead to an increased number of cases of a cancer precursor among patients already infected by any of the four virus types at the time they receive the vaccine, and whose immune systems have not cleared the virus from their bodies."

"West Virginia is already a quagmire of contention in their antiquated State regulations on vaccines," noted Vinnedge. "If they intend to mandate Gardasil, they must provide an opt-out clause and add religious exemptions for other vaccines as well. Anything less would be a gross infringement on parental rights."

Base Begins to Criticize Gov. Perry

2007-02-11T15:51:00.000-06:00

From the Fort Worth Star Telegram, this article documenting the uproar among former Gov. Perry supporters.

Noteworthy content:

But now, less than one month into his second full term, Perry finds himself under siege from the same conservative base that has propelled him to victory in five statewide elections since 1990. Central to the unrest is the governor's order requiring 11- and 12-year-old girls to be vaccinated for the sexually transmitted disease that causes cervical cancer. Other concerns from conservatives are a range of other initiatives announced in recent days but scarcely or never road-tested on the campaign trail.

And this:

"A lot of us felt he was a real Republican, meaning that he believed in limited government," said Dallas resident Colleen Parro, a Republican foot soldier for more than 30 years. "And now he has made it the government's business of what is supposed to be the business of parents. Governor Perry is not the father of every little girl in this state."

And this - recounting how Perry did his best Bill Clinton impersonation (truly - it was awful - but pure Bill Clinton):

"I refuse to look a young woman in the eye 10 years from now who suffers from this form of cancer and tell her we could have stopped it, but we didn't," Perry told lawmakers last week in his State of the State address.

4 Facts & 1 Question - Will Perry Mandate Pregnancy Test?

2007-02-11T15:43:00.000-06:00

Four facts for you to consider:

Gardasil's insert states clearly that Gardasil must not be given to a woman who is pregnant.
Perry has mandated 11-12 year old girls be vaccinated.
The only available vaccine is Gardasil.
11-12 year old girls can and have become pregnant.

One question for you to ponder:

Will Gov. Perry also mandate a pregnancy test for each girl to be vaccinated?

Apparently, Senator Glenn Hegar wants to ask the same question to the incoming Texas Health & Human Services Executive Commissioner - who must be confirmed by the Texas Senate Nominations Committee.

In this article, Sen. Hegar asks:

“I want to know exactly how Mr. Hawkins intends to carry out Gov. Perry's mandate in light of the fact that the manufacturer of this vaccine says that it cannot be given safely to someone who is pregnant,” said Hegar.

“Does that mean the commissioner intends to require a pregnancy test for each of these young children before they receive the Gardasil HPV vaccine or does he intend to put these children at undue risk instead?”

Columnist Clarence Page Weighs in On Perry's Debacle

2007-02-11T15:39:00.000-06:00

Washington, D.C. based columnist Clarence Page weighs in with this editorial.

Noteworthy content:

Texans have good reason to wonder about Perry's haste; he's a usually conservative Republican. If any issue calls for reasoned debate and public education, this one does.

And this on Merck's lobbying effort utilizing Perry's former Chief of Staff:

Nor did it calm anyone's nerves to learn that Merck, which stands to make billions from the drug, had hired as one of its top lobbyists, Mike Toomey, who once served as Perry's chief of staff and is very popular with members of the Texas Legislature. Merck also doubled its spending on lobbyists in Texas this year, according to news reports, as lawmakers considered a vaccine bill that had not yet been voted on when Perry announced his executive order.

And this regarding Perry's plan to allow parents to "opt-out"

Perry's plan allows parents to opt-out for religious reasons, as they can for other shots. But, for an innovation this new, they should be allowed to opt in.

To Perry: "Hands Off Our Kids" - Press Conf. Today

2007-02-11T15:37:00.000-06:00

Texas Vaccine Issue Sparks New National 'Hands Off Our Kids' Coalition

  National Medical, Civil Liberties & Other Groups to Send Joint Letter to
                                Gov. Perry

   DALLAS, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

   Date:             Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007

   Time:             1 pm

   Location:         Hilton Garden Inn
                     DFW South
                     2001 Valley View Lane, Irving, TX

   Event:            "Hands Off Our Kids" Coalition news conference

   Contact:          Kathryn Serkes,
                     Association of American
                     Physicians & Surgeons
                     (206) 851 4841 mobile
                     kaserkes@att.net
   The Association of American Physicians (AAPS) and the American College
of Environmental Medicine will release a coalition letter to Gov. Perry in
response to Executive Order RP 65 on the HPV vaccine.
   Prompted by Texas Governor Perry's executive order to mandate the HPV
mandate, medical, civil liberties, parental rights and other groups have
joined together to form a new national coalition.
   Calling themselves the "Hands Off Our Kids Coalition," the more than 60
signatories to the statement include: PROVE, Texas Legal Foundation, Texas
Eagle Forum, Patient Privacy Rights, Congressman Ron Paul, former
Congressman Bob Barr, the National Vaccine Information Center, Citizens
Against Government Waste, Frontiers of Freedom, the U.S. Bill of Rights
Foundation, The Liberty Coalition, and numerous Texas physicians.
   Speakers include Jane M. Orient, MD, of Tucson, AZ, AAPS Executive
Director of AAPS and Kathryn Serkes, Washington, D.C., Policy Director of
AAPS, as well as local doctors, nurses, parents and children.

Merck: Vioxx & Gardasil - You Should Know

2007-02-11T15:12:00.000-06:00

From this USAToday.com article - read the entirety here:

This fascinating time line shows how Merck had data in October 2000 that their pain-relief medication Vioxx caused double the rate cardiovascular problems as older pain relievers.

March 2000: Merck reveals that a new study found Vioxx patients had double the rate of serious cardiovascular problems than those on naproxen, an older nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID.

Was Vioxx pulled? No.

In November 2000, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study that is called VIGOR. From the FDA's website, this Q&A article:

A later study, VIGOR (VIOXX GI Outcomes Research), was primarily designed to look at the effects of Vioxx on side effects such as stomach ulcers and bleeding and was submitted to the FDA in June 2000. The study showed that patients taking Vioxx had fewer stomach ulcers and bleeding than patients taking naproxen, another NSAID, however, the study also showed a greater number of heart attacks in patients taking Vioxx.

Does Merck pull Vioxx? No.

Instead, the FDA warns Merck to stop misleading doctors about Vioxx's affect on the cardiovascular system. Again, from the USAToday article and time line:

September 2001: The FDA warns Merck to stop misleading doctors about Vioxx's effect on the cardiovascular system.

Does Merck pull Vioxx? No.

According to the USAToday article and time line, we go all the way to September 23, 2004:

Sept. 23, 2004: Merck says it learned this day that patients taking Vioxx in a study were twice as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke as those on placebo.

September 30, 2004: Merck finally withdraws Vioxx.

So, let's get all this straight:

March 2000, Merck reveals a study that patients taking Vioxx have double the risk of cardiovascular problems as those taking other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
November 2000, VIGOR study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showing greater risk of heart attack for patients taking Vioxx.
September 2001, the FDA warns Merck to stop misleading doctors regarding Vioxx's affect on the cardiovascular system.
September 23, 2004 - Merck says it learned "this day" that Vioxx patients were twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as those taking a placebo.
September 30, 2004 - Merck withdraws Vioxx.

What does all this have to do with Gardasil?

The fact that 27,000 wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against Merck for their actions regarding Vioxx does not necessarily mean that Merck will be negligent in bringing forward negative information about their vaccine.

But, to a casual observer, I simply would not trust them to do better than they did with Vioxx.

By the way, because Gardasil is a CDC "blessed" vaccine, you can't sue Merck for injuries sustained because of Gardasil. They're given immunity.

Thought you'd want to know.

Overturn RP65

Great Source for Ongoing News Stories

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House Overwhelmingly Passes HB 1098

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Gov. Perry Angrily Defends His Order

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Connecticut Health Officials - Concerned About HPV Mandate

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Watch Yesterday's Testimony

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Humor: Fictitous Drug Site

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