Just received this email from HSLDA regarding the Texas governor's attempt to make the HPV vaccination mandatory for school attendance. Once again, I am neutral at this point on the vaccination itself; I am most certainly NOT neutral on the government making this medical decision for our daughters, so this development is good news:

Texas: Calls Needed to Protect Parental Rights

Dear HSLDA members and friends:

Last month we told you about Governor Perry's executive order which would require the vaccination of 11-year-old girls against the human papillomavirus (HPV) a sexually transmitted disease.

In response to this executive order, H.B. 1098 was introduced. H.B. 1098 would rescind the executive order which mandates the HPV vaccine.

Good news! H.B. 1098 passed the House! The bill passed 119-21, which exceeds the two-thirds majority requirement to override a veto. The bill is now in the Senate. We need your calls to ensure passage of the vote by a two-thirds majority in order t0 override the possible gubernatorial veto.

ACTION REQUESTED:

Please call your senator over the next two weeks and give this message:

"Immunization against HPV should not be required for a child's admission into school. Please vote for H.B. 1098, to rescind Governor Perry's executive order."


You can find information on your senator by using our Legislative
Toolbox.

I started to include more of the background information here, but since this is a "Family-Friendly Blog" and some of the information is rather graphic, I will just send you here. But this piece is noteworthy:

Over the past few months, Merck, the pharmaceutical manufacturer of
Gardasil, has lobbied vigorously to mandate the HPV vaccine for middle
school age girls. At present there are over 34 states where HPV bills
have been introduced. A few state legislatures have already defeated
HPV bills this year.

Due to all of the concerns raised about mandating the Gardasil vaccine
to middle school age girls, Merck has abandoned its efforts to lobby
state legislatures to require the vaccine.

I encourage you Texans to take action and make your voices heard. And if you're not a Texan, watch your own state closely for efforts to sneak this one in the legislative back door.

Labels: Health, Political Action