N.H. finds voluntary vaccination works
Published: May 12, 2007 at 2:51 PM
CONCORD, N.H., May 12 (UPI) -- New Hampshire says it has a winning formula for getting teenage girls vaccinated against a virus linked to cervical cancer -- make the shot voluntary.
The state is supplying the vaccine against the human papilloma virus free to girls ages 11 to 18. As a result, many doctors have waiting lists for the vaccine, The New York Times reported.
While Virginia is the only state that requires vaccination, with an opt-out for parents, many states have considered laws that would make it mandatory. The vaccine, marketed as Gardasil, is controversial, with some critics saying that protecting women from a sexually transmitted disease encourages promiscuity and others doubtful about long-term effects.
"I suspect that we're not seeing a significant controversy because there was a never a discussion about whether to make this mandatory," Greg Moore, a spokesman for the New Hampshire Health and Human Services Department, told the Times.
The state is supplying the vaccine against the human papilloma virus free to girls ages 11 to 18. As a result, many doctors have waiting lists for the vaccine, The New York Times reported.
While Virginia is the only state that requires vaccination, with an opt-out for parents, many states have considered laws that would make it mandatory. The vaccine, marketed as Gardasil, is controversial, with some critics saying that protecting women from a sexually transmitted disease encourages promiscuity and others doubtful about long-term effects.
"I suspect that we're not seeing a significant controversy because there was a never a discussion about whether to make this mandatory," Greg Moore, a spokesman for the New Hampshire Health and Human Services Department, told the Times.
© 2007 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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