My kids had to get immunizations before attending school...

[cynatnite]

I know there are exceptions to this and some parents opt out altogether for their own reasons. After talking to the nurse at our doctor's office, I am going to discuss with my daughter about her getting the HPV vaccine.

I don't have a problem with Texas requiring it. If this was an AIDS vaccine, I'd feel the same way as I would if it were any new vaccine.

My daughter's health and well-being come first.

[hippiechick]

1. Even if you don't know the long-term side or after effects of the drug?

:shrug: It seems like the pharm companies are pushing hard and fast to make this law, which to me means they're hiding something while trying to make a huge profit ASAP.

And why don't boys have to get the vaccine? They're susceptible to anal/penile cancer from the same virus ...

[cynatnite]

2. I've already spoken to the nurse at our doctor's office...

As with any medication and vaccines there is always a risk. It's my job as a parent to judge whether or not that risk is acceptable for my children.

The nurse explained quite clearly that this vaccine doesn't protect all the strains that exist.

When she goes in we'll still discuss it more with our doctor since he'll be signing off on the orders.

[hippiechick]

3. ... and that's your informed choice ...

:thumbsup:

Other folks are entitled to theirs, as well.

[Morgana LaFey]

72. There's especially a risk when the drug hasn't been properly

or thoroughly tested. And hasn't been adeqately tested on the age group targeted.

I realize that there are many people in this country who have the utmost faith in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, but gawdamighty I've never seen so many so willing to just mosey on over to the slaughter.

Honestly, it's simply astonishing to me. Have they never heard of thalidimide? DES and DES daughters? Silicon breast implants? (Oh, yeah, I know, I know, nothing wrong with them at all, al that anecdotal "evidence" be damned. Just strange coincidences, that's all.)

And yet they're willing to put themselves in the position of sacrificing their daughters' health for Merck's bottom line.

[xchrom]

5. passing bad information again -- boys WILL be getting the vaccine.

HPV: favorable data for male vaccination; VFC action; CDC shift in research focus

A paper published in the November issue of the journal Pediatrics includes new data from Merck on some of their ongoing trials of Gardasil in different populations. It's a highly technical paper with an equally complex title: "Comparison of the Immunogenicity and Reactogenicity of a Prophylactic Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) L1 Virus-Like Particle Vaccine in Male and Female Adolescents and Young Adult Women." (free abstract; subscription required for full-text).
To summarize, the paper reports the results of trials examining whether the vaccine's response in 10-15 year olds mirrors what's been shown in older females (16-23 year-olds). The short answer is that it does generate a comparable ('noninferior,' in scientific jargon) immune response in younger populations. Good news. The most interesting finding from the perspective of potential ethical issues is the comparison of data between 10-15 year old boys versus girls. Boys had a nearly identical response to the vaccine as their female counterparts did as well as a virtually identical safety profile between genders. As the paper's authors (all of whom are employees or consultants of Merck, critics might note, despite that being an obvious result of a Merck trial) note:

"Our findings in boys lend support for implementation of gender-neutral immunization using this vaccine for the purpose of preventing the widespread morbidity and mortality from anogenital cancer, as well as dysplastic cervical and external genital lesions, in the general population."
Speaking of Gardasil, news earlier this week that the vaccine has officially been added to the federal government's Vaccines for Children program, ensuring its availability to uninsured children age 18 or under. Here's a brief story from UPI.
One final related item: a story from Wednesday's Washington Post, "CDC Shifts Vaccine-Data Focus," reports on the decision to refocus intensive data-collection activities on immunization in 22 major cities on teenagers rather than young children. The move is a result of multiple new vaccines recommended for adolescents, including vaccines against HPV, meningococcus, and tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap).

Labels: CDC, Gardasil, HPV, Pediatrics (journal)

http://www.vaccineethics.org/labels/Gardasil.html

[hippiechick]

71. "passing bad information again" ???

:wtf: Citations, please?

[Maine-ah]

51. hmph. the thing that pisses me off, is how much they're charging.

not everybody has 300-some-odd bucks to vaccinate their kid.

[hedgehog]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't

Boys weren't included in the first recommendations because the big profit seeking pharmaceutical company couldn't justify requiring the vaccine given the low incidence of penile or anal cancers from the HPV viruses involved. The morbidity of genital warts wasn't considered sufficient to justify administering this vaccine to males, either.

[woodsprite]

102. Exactly! I can't help thinking about the Anthrax vaccine.

I have a teen daughter and I'm not totally convinced yet that this is a good thing without more testing.

[PLF]

4. so because you make a certain choice then you want to require all others

to make the same choice?

[xchrom]

6. as the poster already pointed -- people can and do opt out.

and it's the same in texas -- people can opt out.

[PLF]

13. only after the state has everybody on record

the words "require" and "mandatory" mean something. It means that if you don't do what the state (Rick Perry and Merck) wants, then you will be required to say so and that statement will be recorded in state records.

If the motives of this order were about helping people then they would simply discount the drug or set up a fund for uninsured people.

[xchrom]

22. lol -- oh yeah this is only about big pharma --

shere's a statement ceceile richard the president of planned parenthood.

HPV Vaccine: Statement from Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America
May 18, 2006 -- New York, NY — Today, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee is considering whether to recommend approval of the first vaccine against two types of human papilloma virus (HPV) that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. Each year approximately 10,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the United States, and 4,000 American women die from the disease. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America applauds the development of the HPV vaccine and urges the FDA to give the product a thorough and expedient review. Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, issued the following statement:
"The HPV vaccine should be a top public health priority for the FDA. It is common sense, good medicine and a groundbreaking step forward in the fight against cancer."
"Each year, Planned Parenthood provides more than 1,000,000 women with cancer screenings aimed at early detection to keep them safe. Availability of an HPV vaccine would give future generations the promise of health, safety, and peace of mind."
Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate more than 850 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.
Source: PPFA

[PLF]

24. And? Nobody is claiming that the idea of a vaccine is inherently bad.

They are simply saying let the decision be a product of discussion between family members and their health care provider. What is so wrong with that?

[xchrom]

29. Is it the vagina thing that bothers you?

Cause i'm guessing your damn grateful for vaccines like whopping cough which are also mandated.

AND which people can opt out of.

but if your kid doesn't get it -- thank those who vaccinate their kids.

[PLF]

32. You seem obsessed with the genitalia aspect, which is irrelevant other than

how this virus is contracted.

If you are talking about whooping cough (i've never heard of whopping cough) it is contracted through the air hence the need for a mandate.

This action by the Merck lobby is all about creating a false economy.

[xchrom]

36. so it is the vagina that bothers you.

whooping cough is fine -- but oh buddy -- can't be looking out for the health of women and their private parts.

how positively barbaric and uneducated of you.

[PLF]

42. I think you are losing your mind

I will say this one more time so that maybe it will get through to you.

Whooping cough is caused by an airborne bacteria. I'll explain further so you know why that is relevant. You can get whooping cough in the grocery store but if you were fucking in the condiment aisle (the only way you could get HPV in the grocery store) you would be arrested.

You are the one that needs to be educated.

[xchrom]

60. i'll add backwards to the list. backwards, ignorant and uneducated.

[PLF]

62. I find you a sad individual

as to why I can only speculate and honestly I don't care.

[xchrom]

70. other than that you spout bad and dangerous and willfully ignorant

information -- i certainly don't care about you either.

but that should have been self evident some posts ago.

[PLF]

80. Is your invective supposed to hurt me somehow?

Does it make you feel better to spout insults?

Honestly I thought this discussion was about whether this mandate is valid or not.

[xchrom]

89. i don't care if it does or not.

when i see ignorant, backwards and uneducated -- i'm going to say what it is.

this is a disease that affects large numbers of women and girls -- and this stops much of that disease -- that's ALL that matters.

[PLF]

92. You must

[xchrom]

93. lol -- do your arms get tired from hoisting around all that self righteous importance?

[cynatnite]

7. Where did I say that? n/t

[PLF]

8. here

"I don't have a problem with Texas requiring it. "

you stated that you are choosing to get this for your daughter and then make the quoted statement above. As of right now you are choosing to get this for your daughter based on what you think is the wisest move yet you don't want to afford that right to others.

[Caution]

9. She clearly meant in the form the law currently takes

Which allows for opt out as I understand it (correct me if I'm wrong...but please give a link)

[xchrom]

15. here ya go -- a link with lot's of really good information.

http://www.vaccineethics.org/labels/Gardasil.html

Texas HPV vaccine mandate in the news

There has been a great deal in the news this week about Gardasil (and a corresponding spike in our traffic), much of which has been triggered by Texas Gov. Rick Perry's executive order on Friday requiring sixth-grade girls to be vaccinated against HPV. Here's the text of the executive order and an accompanying press release from the governor's office. Quoting Perry, "Requiring young girls to get vaccinated before they come into contact with HPV is responsible health and fiscal policy that has the potential to significantly reduce cases of cervical cancer and mitigate future medical costs."
Perry, a Republican, has received criticism for this decision from members of his own political party and conservative organizations, as this AP story and this Houston Chronicle story explain. Perry released a second statement over the weekend, saying, in part,



"Providing the HPV vaccine doesn’t promote sexual promiscuity anymore than providing the Hepatitis B vaccine promotes drug use. If the medical community developed a vaccine for lung cancer, would the same critics oppose it claiming it would encourage smoking?

"Finally, parents need to know that they have the final decision about whether or not their daughter is vaccinated. I am a strong believer in protecting parental rights, which is why this executive order allows them to opt out."


Indeed, likely lost in the headlines pointing to a "mandate" is the important point that the exemption policies already in place in Texas will apply to HPV vaccination in the same way, including parents having the ability to decline vaccination for 'philosophical reasons'. In fact, proponents of vaccine mandates will likely be disappointed to learn that the executive order also instructs state officials to make the exemption process easier by creating a system in which parents can decline vaccination online.
Today's New York Times includes an editorial praising Perry for the decision. In fairness, it argues far more convincingly for HPV vaccination generally than it does for a state mandate (though strong arguments can certainly be made for it.)
Independent of discussions about the appropriateness of philosophical exemptions from vaccination (such as Paul Offit's op-ed we noted here), the current state mandate system means that no parents will be forced to vaccinate their children against their will. However, years of experience have shown that state mandates provide the structures and encouragement necessary to maximize a vaccine's benefit across communities, particularly reaching those without regular access to medical care whom cervical cancer targets disproportionately.
When considering vaccine mandates, we should not focus our attention on those with strong beliefs opposing vaccination, as the exemption procedures provide, for better or worse, a relatively simple remedy. Instead, we must consider those silent in these debates, those not receiving even basic medical care, much less tracking the minute-by-minute developments regarding Gardasil. For them, state mandates have been shown repeatedly to provide the awareness and stimulus needed for the vaccine to reach all who could benefit from it.

Labels: Gardasil, HPV, Mandates, Merck, Policy

[PLF]

17. it's not as if the word mandate is meaningless

The decision should be between you, your family, and your healthcare provider and it's not really any of Rick Perry's or Merck's business what choice you make.

[xchrom]

25. lol -- do you feel the same about polio -- or any number of other vaccines?

Or is it just the possible sexual link that bothers you?

cervical cancer is a horrifying way to die -- slow -- agonizing -- and the potential is there to kill untold numbers of women -- and it already has killed untold numbers.

this is a stopping point for a nightmare.

now DON'T GET IT IF YOU DON'T WANT.

but trust me this is going to roll forward because it's the right thing to do.

[PLF]

28. HPV is an STD

If you are old enough to be having sex then you are old enough to make the decision for yourself.

Mandating that 9 year old girls and boys get this is simply bullshit.

OH, and quit talking as if any one who is against this mandate is pro-cancer, as if I need you to tell me about what cancer does to somebody. That method of argument is dishonest.

[xchrom]

30. get. a. clue. -- people fuck -- always have -- whereever they can --

people fuck -- like breathing, eating, sleeping, crossing the street.

people fuck -- and that's why vaccines like this are important.

it's not about your idea of choice and sex -- cause -- and i hate to repeat myself -- PEOPLE FUCK.

not to mention the millions of women around the world who are FORCED to have sex against their gaddamn will -- and then become subject to horrifying illness -- that's what you want for raped women -- cervical cancer?

nice humanity you have going there.

[PLF]

35. 9 year olds?

You seem to be heading off a cliff here.




as far as this comment:

"not to mention the millions of women around the world who are FORCED to have sex against their gaddamn will -- and then become subject to horrifying illness -- that's what you want for raped women -- cervical cancer?"

Since all I am advocating is that the decision be left up to the family and thier doctor, I see the above statement as insane.

[xchrom]

38. it is certainly not uncommon for 9 year olds to forced into having sex.

as we have learned from pedophile priests and ministers.

how do you think all these child sex laws have come to be on the books -- some one dreamed this shit up?

you really need to come and join reality.

[PLF]

44. so child rape is the only reason for the mandate?

otherwise it wouldn't be needed?

[xchrom]

56. ignorant and uneducated.

[PLF]

61. You have reduced yourself to spouting insults.

Once your posts cease to have any content other than trying to insult me I can come to no other conclusion than you don't know what you are talking about and are just angry.

[xchrom]

68. it's not possible to insult the really backwards, uneducated and ignorant.

simply not possible.

[PLF]

76. you seem to be breaking the rules here.

I don't agree with you so you choose to engage in ad hominem remarks.

[phylny]

55. No nine year olds are ever raped. Oh, yeah. I forgot.

No need for the vaccine.

Oh, and every woman who is a virgin marries a man who is a virgin, so no need for the vaccine.

:sarcasm:

[PLF]

77. who said the vaccine should not be available?

show me one single post.

[hedgehog]

58. The treatment isn't a walk in the park, either.

[Caution]

43. Did you read the article

here's the relevant quote regarding "mandatory"

"Finally, parents need to know that they have the final decision about whether or not their daughter is vaccinated. I am a strong believer in protecting parental rights, which is why this executive order allows them to opt out."

[Caution]

39. That's what I thought. It is not "mandatory" and it does prevent cancer

as well as the STD itself.

[xchrom]

74. that is correct.

[cynatnite]

12. Sorry I wasn't clear as YOU would have liked...

and didn't repeat myself with the statement in regards to Texas. Parents can opt out and should be able to if they choose. I never said that all kids should be forced.

:eyes:

[PLF]

16. they can "opt out"

only after being registered as a non-compliant individual.

As I said earlier if the motives were truly about helping people they would simply offer the drug at a discount or set up a fund for uninsured kids.

This is about something completely different.

[Caution]

46. oh my they are registered as a non-compliant individual!!! How horrible!!!!

gimme a break. The bottom line is that if someone is stupid enough to opt out they can do so. No one is preventing them from being stupid.

[PLF]

57. Honestly its none of Rick Perry's business

[Caution]

85. And this is your argument? He's trying to help. If someone is so against it

and they feel that opting out and the resultant inclusion on a list of those who have opted out is out of the question, they have a few choices, fight the executive order in court or move out of the state. It's not that difficult.

HPV is serious business. You know someone who has it right now, you know someone who will get cervical cancer as a result of having HPV and she may die as a result. This vaccine has gone through rigorous testing, it has been approved by the FDA. IS this proof-positive that there won't be long-term unknown side effects? No it isn't. The same was true of the polio vaccine, the measles vaccine, etc. People in Texas have a choice, whether you like the conditions on that choice or not.

I wish this vaccine had been around when someone very close to me was a child. Instead she has to worry every day about HPV developing into cervical cancer. Wouldn't it be nice to have that concern significantly reduced?

The community of people out there who are convinced that big pharma is out there to make a buck and only to make a buck really need to stop and think for just a small period of time. I see Vioxx brought up quite a bit in this context. No one brings up the fact that the Vioxx debacle cost that company a LOT more than they ever made on the drug. These companies are well aware of the fact that if their drugs go the way Vioxx does that they could collapse under the scandal and the associated monetary costs of that scandal.

Ever met anyone who works for one of these companies in the research departments? They are dedicated, caring individuals who do everything they can to be sure that the medical miracles they produce will be for the good of everyone. They are devastated when things don't work out, but they persevere anyway because it's the right thing to do.

[PLF]

Do you see one statement on this board that claims

nobody should be allowed to have this vaccine if they want it? I didn't think so but that assumption is implicit in your remarks.

Nobody here is pro-cancer and nobody here is against "have(ing) that concern significantly reduced" so quit making that assumption.

As far as that little comment "fight the executive order in court or move out of the state" I will make a two fold response. The first thing that comes to mind is the conservative bromide "love it or leave it" every time they come up with some bullshit initiative. The second thing is that I am sure people will fight it in court at some point but that is not really relevant.

[Kixel]

10. Most women will get HPV

That's the scary thing. You are taking a risk either way.

BTW-super cool parent thing to discuss it with your daughter and not just tell her what to do!

[cynatnite]

14. She's at the age to make a lot of these decisions for herself...

she's a mature and smart girl :)

These things always require risk no matter whether it's this or an MMR immunization. It's a matter of making an informed judgment. We'll talk more with the doctor, too.

[Kixel]

40. Totally

A friend of mine just had an HPV scare-together we did a lot of research on it. If you can prevent it safely, it's called excellent parenting!

The shot's been around for a while-and you are right, there are always risks when it comes to any immunization. I'd much rather have the shot then to be looking at HPV down the road.

I love examples of good parenting! I'm guessing the smart/mature aspects are a result of that.

[bleedingheart]

11. my daughter could have died because someone didn't get their kids a vaccine

and those kids attended daycare and carried in pertussis (whoopping cough) one day...

My daughter's vaccinations were what allowed her to only have a mild version of it...but her asthma didn't react well to that at all.

Many kids get religious or other exemptions due to their fears of vaccines. There are more kids out there with no vaccines. My pediatrician gets really upset about this.

After almost a week in the hospital, my daughter was able to come home but no kid should suffer through whoopping cough.

[xchrom]

19. your post is a perfect example of the millions of people who have benefited

from vaccines.

vaccines -- even with the problems they have encountered -- have allowed untold numbers of people to live that would have died or other wise suffer greatly.

vaccines represent one of those things that humanity has generally gotten right -- and the preponderance of evidence is on that side.

do we have to be careful? of course!

do we want to cut big pharma off from the conduits of power? -- naturally.

and on and on -- but vaccines have been an important force that has moved civilization forward for the better.

[Katherine Brengle]

20. And those who choose not to are lucky to benefit from herd immunity --

they should be truly thankful that most of us choose to vaccinate so THEIR kids don't die.

[PLF]

21. the only herd mentality I see are those choosing to blindly obey the state

[Katherine Brengle]

45. Hmmm... I think I said "immunity" but cute.

Dink.

[xchrom]

27. lol -- man ain't that right.

and it's going to be the same with this vaccine -- somebody who wasn't immunized WON'T get the cancer because someone else was.

but that will be thankless, eh?

[Katherine Brengle]

50. That's how it works. I'm all for being cautious, especially about

trusting the government, corps, or Big Pharma, but sometimes even they do something right.

[PLF]

23. HPV is an STD, are you saying that

HPV is being transmitted in schools and daycare?

[Phillycat]

33. I'm quite sure it is, in schools, anyway.

[hedgehog]

49. It's my understanding from other threads that most teenagers are

so randy we're lucky they are having sex in the street! Seriously, I want to know what teenage girl will say "Stop, let's wait half a year to have sex so I can get my three HPV shots!"

The reason girls are being vaccinated so young is to avoid the above situation.

[Katherine Brengle]

52. You would be surprised -- HPV can be transmitted via a number of means --

it can survive outside of and away from the body for a very long time, unlike other STDs.

[slackmaster]

41. My mom almost died of pertussis as a girl in 1938

The vaccination for that and several other "traditional" childhood diseases has saved millions of people, without question.

[Robbien]

18. what is the point of another thread. Some want mandates, others don't

No one is convincing the other

For the record, I don't trust the drug and don't like it being mandated. And like even less that GOPers are raking in huge lobbyist money in the process.

[Gormy Cuss]

26. I have a problem with mandating this vaccine.

I don't have a problem with the vaccine itself nor with offering some protection against some forms of HPV. It's a great advance to have the first vaccine against a virus associated with cancer. I do have an issue with mandating the vaccine based on the lobbying efforts of the manufacturer.

There is a well-financed campaign by Merck to convince states to mandate it. Opt-out provisions don't obviate the fact that it's not the public health community calling for this. It's the patent holder.
Merck is trying to maximize profit potential before any competitive HPV vaccines are approved, such as the one developed by GlaxoSmithKline. The sooner Merck can generate high volume business from Gardasil, the more profit potential because competition usually drives down prices. That's one reason that Merck is lobbying so hard for mandatory vaccinations and why they have blanketed the airwaves with ads for their product.

On the other hand, the vaccine is approved and available for you to choose for your daughter without the state requiring it. Sure, you may have to pay for it out of pocket, but a few hundred dollars is a small price to pay. States can assure that the vaccine is made available through Medicaid and other state-funded programs for those who can not afford it. I am aware of the argument that mandatory would mean that private insurers would have to cover the costs, but pressure by employers could effect the same and place a downward pressure on the price.

So while I think the vaccine is a great advance, I think mandating it is the wrong move.

[xchrom]

34. do you have a problem with mandating vaccines for whooping cough?

how about polio?

vaccines have moved civilzation forward -- that's how powerful a tool vaccines are.

here's a few thoughts and numbers on vaccines in general -- polio in particular and some on hpv.

http://blogs.cgdev.org/globalhealth/

January 22, 2007
Hundreds of Thousands Saved: A Measles Success Story

The numbers are in! The Measles Initiative, which set out to halve the global measles burden between 1999 and 2005, has surpassed its goal with a 60 percent reduction. A new Lancet study (subscription required) reports an estimated drop in measles deaths from 873,000 in 1999 to 345,000 in 2005 (based on a natural history model to evaluate mortality trends).

For related coverage, see The Economist, the Washington Post, the New York Times and elsewhere. But also be sure to check out CGD's Millions Saved for a detailed account of how measles was nearly eliminated in seven southern African countries in the late 1990s. The case study suggests some key ingredients for the intervention's success: the commitment of governments, the strengthening of surveillance systems, and the integration of measles vaccinations with other health services. Some of these reasons are echoed by WHO director Margaret Chan in an International Herald Tribune op-ed on the more recent Measles Initiative success. She said that "it took a new partnership - with commitment, caring and cash - to turn things around," and noted that the success in countries was aided by their ability to build on the strategies and infrastructure of existing health programs and services.

As usual in public health, this success implies more work to be done. In a good sign that past successes are being used to inform future aims, the Measles Initiative has already set a new goal of reducing measles mortality 90 percent by 2010. Margaret Chan is optimistic that the new measles target will be achieved; so am I.


http://www.cgdev.org/section/initiatives/_active/vaccinedevelopment/overview

Nowhere are the potential benefits greater than in the production and distribution of new vaccines to prevent the diseases that needlessly take lives and destroy livelihoods in developing countries.

In 2003 we established a Working Group, including economists, public health professionals, lawyers, experts in public policy and pharmaceutical and biotech experts, with the mandate to develop a practical approach to the vaccine challenge: to go from ideas to action. The result is this report.

My colleagues propose an elegant solution to enable the high income countries to work together to accelerate the development of vaccines for diseases of low-income countries to guarantee to pay for such vaccines if and when they are developed. The solution is simple and practical. It unleashes the same combination of market incentives and public investment that creates medicines for diseases that afflict us: arrangements that have been spectacularly effective in improving the health of the rich nations in the last century. It creates incentives for more private investment in these diseases. And it will ensure that, once a vaccine is developed, the funds will be there to get the vaccine to the people who need it.

Adequate investment in global public goods should be a cornerstone of foreign assistance. By definition, we all benefit from global public goods, and we share a responsibility to see that they are properly funded and available to everyone. These are investments with high returns and low risks of corruption and appropriation. Furthermore, this proposal ties funding directly to results: if the commitment does not succeed, there is no cost to the sponsors.

Every so often, an idea comes along that makes you ask: now why didn't I think of that? This is such an idea.
Nancy Birdsall
President


http://www.savekids.org/vaccines/v.html

the above site is comprehensive in recording both past achievements and current achievements for saving millions of lives through vaccinations.
truly a remarkable human achievement.

this describes an effort to save 5 MILLION CHILDREN through vaccination
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/iffi-bond.asp

The first step was taken today to raise funds for a mass immunisation programme for children in the developing world, at a ceremony in London attended by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, and representatives of Britain’s faith groups.
The International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) will deliver 4 billion dollars over the next ten years to be spent on the immunisation of up to 500 million children in the world’s 70 poorest countries against preventable diseases like polio, measles and diphtheria. It is estimated this will save 5 million lives in the years up to 2015, and a further 5 million afterwards, and lead to the eradication of polio.
Speaking in advance of the launch, the Chancellor said:
"Millions of people campaigned to Make Poverty History last year, and now we can say to them all: we are delivering the promises we made, your hopes are becoming a reality, and millions of young children's lives will be saved as a result."
IFFIm uses long-term, binding commitments from donors as collateral against which to borrow money up front from institutional and private investors, which can be spent immediately on mass vaccination programmes. Commitments have so far been made by the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Brazil and South Africa, together with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The first step was taken today to raise funds for a mass immunisation programme for children in the developing world, at a ceremony in London attended by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, and representatives of Britain’s faith groups.
The International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) will deliver 4 billion dollars over the next ten years to be spent on the immunisation of up to 500 million children in the world’s 70 poorest countries against preventable diseases like polio, measles and diphtheria. It is estimated this will save 5 million lives in the years up to 2015, and a further 5 million afterwards, and lead to the eradication of polio.
Speaking in advance of the launch, the Chancellor said:
"Millions of people campaigned to Make Poverty History last year, and now we can say to them all: we are delivering the promises we made, your hopes are becoming a reality, and millions of young children's lives will be saved as a result."
IFFIm uses long-term, binding commitments from donors as collateral against which to borrow money up front from institutional and private investors, which can be spent immediately on mass vaccination programmes. Commitments have so far been made by the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Brazil and South Africa, together with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.


''Vaccines have been one of the most important health gains in the past century. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases; that is why it is critical that they are protected through immunization. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. Children who are not immunized increase the chance that others will get the disease. Since this effort 50 years ago, we can now protect children from more than 12 vaccine-preventable diseases, and disease rates have been reduced by 99% in the United States. Immunizations are extremely safe thanks to advancements in medical research and ongoing review by doctors, researchers, and public health officials; yet without diligent efforts to maintain immunization programs here and strengthen them worldwide, the diseases seen 50 years ago remain a threat to our children.''
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/events/polio-vacc-50th/

the above quote is from the cdc re: the fiftieth anniversary of the polio vaccine and takes in the scope of what vaccines have brought humanity -- millions have been saved -- and many millions more will be through hard work and determination.

[PLF]

48. get a clue, apples and oranges

[xchrom]

53. a virus is a virus -- and you have a problem

with wanting to ''punish'' people for their perceived behavior.

this isn't about behavior -- this is about disease.

[PLF]

86. don't project on to me

your inferences are completely baseless.

[xchrom]

95. no they're not.

your attitudes re: stds make your thinking superstitious and dangerous.

[Gormy Cuss]

59. The public health community isn't calling for mandating this vaccine.

Big difference. As I wrote, I am in favor of making the vaccine available, and even as a free vaccine for those who can't afford it. That goes for all of the other vaccines administered today. Merck recognizes that the richest source of profit for this product is the United States . It isn't enough to have approval and to be able to use the power of advertising to drum up business. Merck recognizes that the best way to maximize profits is through convincing individual states to mandate the vaccinations.
Only after they have milked the worth from the U.S. and other wealthy countries will they bother to lower the price sufficiently to serve the less developed areas of the world, places where routine exams and PAP smears don't happen either and arguably the need for the vaccine is even greater.

[PLF]

64. Bingo!

[xchrom]

78. the uk is going to GASP -- ''mandate'' this --

the u.n. wants this vaccine spread as fast as possible because of the lives it will save.

as a product that hs benefitted humanity as much as vaccines have -- THEY ARE CHEAP.

look at some of this -- look carefully at it -- imagine where would be at in an historical percepctive if not for vaccines -- ALL OF THEM.

we what we are today because of vaccines.

http://blogs.cgdev.org/globalhealth/

January 22, 2007
Hundreds of Thousands Saved: A Measles Success Story

The numbers are in! The Measles Initiative, which set out to halve the global measles burden between 1999 and 2005, has surpassed its goal with a 60 percent reduction. A new Lancet study (subscription required) reports an estimated drop in measles deaths from 873,000 in 1999 to 345,000 in 2005 (based on a natural history model to evaluate mortality trends).

For related coverage, see The Economist, the Washington Post, the New York Times and elsewhere. But also be sure to check out CGD's Millions Saved for a detailed account of how measles was nearly eliminated in seven southern African countries in the late 1990s. The case study suggests some key ingredients for the intervention's success: the commitment of governments, the strengthening of surveillance systems, and the integration of measles vaccinations with other health services. Some of these reasons are echoed by WHO director Margaret Chan in an International Herald Tribune op-ed on the more recent Measles Initiative success. She said that "it took a new partnership - with commitment, caring and cash - to turn things around," and noted that the success in countries was aided by their ability to build on the strategies and infrastructure of existing health programs and services.

As usual in public health, this success implies more work to be done. In a good sign that past successes are being used to inform future aims, the Measles Initiative has already set a new goal of reducing measles mortality 90 percent by 2010. Margaret Chan is optimistic that the new measles target will be achieved; so am I.


http://www.cgdev.org/section/initiatives/_active/vaccinedevelopment/overview

Nowhere are the potential benefits greater than in the production and distribution of new vaccines to prevent the diseases that needlessly take lives and destroy livelihoods in developing countries.

In 2003 we established a Working Group, including economists, public health professionals, lawyers, experts in public policy and pharmaceutical and biotech experts, with the mandate to develop a practical approach to the vaccine challenge: to go from ideas to action. The result is this report.

My colleagues propose an elegant solution to enable the high income countries to work together to accelerate the development of vaccines for diseases of low-income countries to guarantee to pay for such vaccines if and when they are developed. The solution is simple and practical. It unleashes the same combination of market incentives and public investment that creates medicines for diseases that afflict us: arrangements that have been spectacularly effective in improving the health of the rich nations in the last century. It creates incentives for more private investment in these diseases. And it will ensure that, once a vaccine is developed, the funds will be there to get the vaccine to the people who need it.

Adequate investment in global public goods should be a cornerstone of foreign assistance. By definition, we all benefit from global public goods, and we share a responsibility to see that they are properly funded and available to everyone. These are investments with high returns and low risks of corruption and appropriation. Furthermore, this proposal ties funding directly to results: if the commitment does not succeed, there is no cost to the sponsors.

Every so often, an idea comes along that makes you ask: now why didn't I think of that? This is such an idea.
Nancy Birdsall
President


http://www.savekids.org/vaccines/v.html

the above site is comprehensive in recording both past achievements and current achievements for saving millions of lives through vaccinations.
truly a remarkable human achievement.

this describes an effort to save 5 MILLION CHILDREN through vaccination
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/iffi-bond.asp

The first step was taken today to raise funds for a mass immunisation programme for children in the developing world, at a ceremony in London attended by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, and representatives of Britain’s faith groups.
The International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) will deliver 4 billion dollars over the next ten years to be spent on the immunisation of up to 500 million children in the world’s 70 poorest countries against preventable diseases like polio, measles and diphtheria. It is estimated this will save 5 million lives in the years up to 2015, and a further 5 million afterwards, and lead to the eradication of polio.
Speaking in advance of the launch, the Chancellor said:
"Millions of people campaigned to Make Poverty History last year, and now we can say to them all: we are delivering the promises we made, your hopes are becoming a reality, and millions of young children's lives will be saved as a result."
IFFIm uses long-term, binding commitments from donors as collateral against which to borrow money up front from institutional and private investors, which can be spent immediately on mass vaccination programmes. Commitments have so far been made by the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Brazil and South Africa, together with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The first step was taken today to raise funds for a mass immunisation programme for children in the developing world, at a ceremony in London attended by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, and representatives of Britain’s faith groups.
The International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) will deliver 4 billion dollars over the next ten years to be spent on the immunisation of up to 500 million children in the world’s 70 poorest countries against preventable diseases like polio, measles and diphtheria. It is estimated this will save 5 million lives in the years up to 2015, and a further 5 million afterwards, and lead to the eradication of polio.
Speaking in advance of the launch, the Chancellor said:
"Millions of people campaigned to Make Poverty History last year, and now we can say to them all: we are delivering the promises we made, your hopes are becoming a reality, and millions of young children's lives will be saved as a result."
IFFIm uses long-term, binding commitments from donors as collateral against which to borrow money up front from institutional and private investors, which can be spent immediately on mass vaccination programmes. Commitments have so far been made by the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Brazil and South Africa, together with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.


''Vaccines have been one of the most important health gains in the past century. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases; that is why it is critical that they are protected through immunization. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. Children who are not immunized increase the chance that others will get the disease. Since this effort 50 years ago, we can now protect children from more than 12 vaccine-preventable diseases, and disease rates have been reduced by 99% in the United States. Immunizations are extremely safe thanks to advancements in medical research and ongoing review by doctors, researchers, and public health officials; yet without diligent efforts to maintain immunization programs here and strengthen them worldwide, the diseases seen 50 years ago remain a threat to our children.''
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/events/polio-vacc-50th/

the above quote is from the cdc re: the fiftieth anniversary of the polio vaccine and takes in the scope of what vaccines have brought humanity -- millions have been saved -- and many millions more will be through hard work and determination.

[PLF]

82. so? I guess if ol' Tony is for mandates then you must be too.

[xchrom]

91. it's not about tony -- it's about keeping people from dying

from a disease.

[PLF]

97. show me one statement anywhere against making it available

You can't. So quit whining as if you are the only person in the world who wants to prevent disease. This is about something completely different, i.e. should it be mandatory or not.

[xchrom]

101. Shall we go back and look up your remarks about 'stds and how they are contracted?

You aren't concerned about health -- your concerned about how this one disease is contracted - you want their pain and suffering ad death.

you don't care whether it's mandated -- you want to spread misery.

[Morgana LaFey]

87. Exactly. It should be a PUBLIC HEALTH decision, not an

executive (i.e., governor's) decision, fueled by the pharmaceutical's lobbyist who "just happens" to have been Perry's former chief of staff.

I am amazed that so many people can't see the inherent problems with this.

[PLF]

90. I'm amazed by that too.

All of thier arguments are straw men. For example if you find the mandate questionable then you must be pro-cancer or hate women or some other nonsense. Another implied claim they make is that if you question this mandate then you must want to deny the vaccine to everyone.

[hedgehog]

63. I agree. Merck should have just let people find out about the

vaccine by accident or word of mouth. Where do they get off sending reps out to doctors' offices to let doctors know the vaccine exists and who would benefit and how it should be administered!

[PLF]

67. you are intentionally misrepresenting the issue

Nobody is against informing the public of the availability of this vaccine.

Why do you choose to engage in this dishonesty?

[hedgehog]

73. So where is the line between information and lobbying?

Merck is allowed to inform (fil in the blank) but not allowed to talk to (fill in the blank) although those are the people who will have to find the money to pay for it!

[PLF]

79. we are talking about a government mandate.

please stay focused.

[WinkyDink]

31. The current vaccinations are for easily communicable diseases, no?

As in: social, group, community, not one-to-one.

[PLF]

37. yes, a very salient point

[xchrom]

47. another one living in fairy land.

whether it's barzil or the uk or the us or russia.

stds flourish because people fuck.

people rape.

people pass stds -- and good things like babies as if they were half off at the annual close out sale.

damn near as easily as whooping cough.

it is a myth that some how people are safe if they just wouldn't fuck -- cause WHEN has that EVER happened?

[PLF]

54. no that would be you

since you can't seem to tell the difference b/t an STD and whooping cough.

they are not the same and they are not transmitted in the same way.

[hedgehog]

65. Only high risk people should get vaccinated, because nice people NEVER

carry or transmit or catch STDs!

[PLF]

69. That may be your opinion.

Personally I think parents have a right to consider the issue and make their own choice outside of the view of Rick Perry.

[xchrom]

96. lol -- i like that.

[xchrom]

66. lol -- a disease is a disease -- and this disease puts large numbers

of women at risk for a horrible illness.

you just want to pick and choose the diseases you fight effectively -- you want to get your wishbone out and wave it at the disease and make it go away.

[PLF]

75. steady yourself, take a deep breath

Show me where I said women should be denied this vaccine if they want it.

[xchrom]

94. Lol -- your attitude re: stds -- a flat worlders response to

reality makes sure that too many women and girls will still die from this disease.

come join the twenty first century.

[PLF]

98. I am officially bored with your pathetic rants. You lose. Bye.

[xchrom]

100. bye!

:hi:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

81. HPV is a highly communicable disease.

Most people have it.

It's not just for sinners, you know.

[PLF]

83. It is not transmitted through the air

Your religiosity has nothing to do with this issue.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

84. But apparently yours does.

You seem to have some sort of hang up over sex.

People don't get tetanus over the air, but they still require tetanus shots.

[PLF]

88. the method of transmission is relevant

and just because the subject is involves sex doesn't mean you need to be distracted by that

How would I contract Tetanus?

If you have an open wound on your body that comes into contact with a substance containing the spores of C. tetani, you can contract Tetanus. Large wounds are certainly more susceptible, as there is more surface area for the bacteria to gain entrance into the body. However, even tiny wounds, such as a small scratch or pinprick can provide access for the bacteria.




In other words you can contract Tetanus in the school yard.

[xchrom]

99. no it's not relevant -- what's relevant is that a disease that plagued women and girls

with unimagineable pain, suffering and death has a vaccine.

that's all that matters.

women who come to the marriage as virgins -- this should appeal to your backwards universe -- won't catch it their new husbands are carriers.