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Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Not that I have any illusions about the motivations of Merck here--clearly they're worried about the bottom line and not the ethics, but nevertheless, this is good news:
Merck Ends Push for Mandatory Shots for GirlsNow if only Governor Perry will be so responsive.
By ANDREW POLLACK and STEPHANIE SAUL
Reacting to a furor from some parents, advocacy groups and public health experts, Merck said yesterday that it would stop lobbying state legislatures to require the use of its new cervical cancer vaccine.
The company said it made the decision after realizing that its lobbying campaign had fueled objections across the country that could undermine adoption of the vaccine.
At least 20 states are considering making its use mandatory for schoolgirls, and the governor of Texas, Rick Perry, has already done so by executive order. Part of the states’ rush to embrace the vaccine has been instigated by Merck efforts that began before federal regulators approved the product last year.
Labels: Health, News, Political Action
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